Portret van Giovanni Maria Visconti 1585 - 1642

This is an engraving of Giovanni Maria Visconti by Agostino Carracci, created in the late 16th century. Visconti was Duke of Milan in the early 1400s, and gained a reputation for cruelty and tyranny. Carracci's print is interesting for the way it engages with historical memory. It was made in Bologna, Italy. The print is a work of propaganda. The text below the image is set within an elaborate initial letter ‘S’ that conveys the meaning of the image. It seeks to portray the Duke as a cruel and inhuman tyrant, suggesting that he was right to be murdered by members of his court. It creates meaning through cultural references and historical associations. Prints like these were often commissioned by political factions to discredit their enemies. As historians, we can look at contemporary chronicles and archival records to better understand the political context in which this print was made and its role in shaping public opinion. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional contexts.