Ignacy Jacob Massalski, Bishop of Wilna 1780

Curator: Here we have Charles Clément Bervic's portrait of Ignacy Jacob Massalski, Bishop of Wilna. Editor: The starkness of the engraving immediately brings to mind the rigid societal structures of the period. Curator: Absolutely. Massalski was a key figure during a turbulent time in Polish history, particularly with the Partitions looming. The portrait, in its formal presentation, underscores his status and power. Editor: Note the detail in the fur stole and the ornate decorations. It speaks volumes about the labor and materials used to project this image of authority. We also see a caption on a stone-looking plate. Curator: Indeed, these were visual tools that reinforced the Church's influence, but also reflect Massalski’s complex legacy as an Enlightenment figure within the Church. Editor: A striking example of how material culture intersects with political identity. I am left wondering about the engraver's choice to depict this individual. Curator: Examining these details helps us to question the relationship between powerful figures and the artists they employ, and the stories that get told.