Portret van Giovanni Battista Soria op 42-jarige leeftijd 1624

This is Jerôme David’s portrait of Giovanni Battista Soria at 42 years old, made as an engraving. Soria, depicted in an oval frame, projects an image of moderate wealth. The portrait sits above lines of tightly packed Italian script. The 17th century was an age of exploration, colonialism, and religious conflict, where societal norms were rigidly defined by class and religious affiliation. Soria, likely a member of the Roman elite, held a position of power and privilege in this hierarchical society. The Italian text below the portrait may offer insight into his values, beliefs, and social standing within the community. Engravings like these served as a means of disseminating images and ideas, reinforcing or challenging existing power structures. What kind of power dynamics are at play in the relationship between artist and sitter here? The piece invites us to consider identity in the context of early modern European society.