Portret van paus Alexander VII 1655

This is an undated print of Pope Alexander VII, made by an anonymous artist and held in the Rijksmuseum. Consider the power dynamics at play in this portrait. The papacy, historically and culturally, wielded immense influence, and images like this were instrumental in shaping perceptions of authority. As an anonymous work it makes it hard to understand the intentions of the author, were they aligned with the church's own or were they trying to make a point? The print is a formal portrait but there are cherubic figures on either side of the portrait, this can be interpreted as an attempt to convey a sense of divine approval or sanctity around the subject. The use of such imagery was a common visual language during the time to convey complex ideas about identity, power, and spirituality. This portrait invites us to reflect on the construction of identity, then and now, and how authority is both perceived and projected. It speaks to the ongoing dialogue between art, power, and self-representation.