Portret van paus Clemens XIV 1734 - 1787

Antonio Baratta created this print of Pope Clement XIV sometime around 1769 in Italy. It’s an etching, a medium that allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, making them ideal for disseminating information and propaganda. Clement is framed by an oval portrait, which sits atop a pedestal. Below that, the inscription tells us that Clement was a member of the Friars Minor Conventual, a branch of the Franciscan order, and was elected pope in 1769. Above this inscription is Clement’s coat of arms, another indication of his institutional power. What’s interesting is how Clement presents himself. He is not looking directly at the viewer but off to the side, as if caught in thought. He is also making a gesture with his hand, which could be interpreted as a sign of blessing or benediction. During his papacy, Clement suppressed the Jesuit order, which had enormous consequences for the globalization of the Catholic Church. We might want to consult Church records from this period to understand the wider impact of this action. As we can see, even a simple portrait can reveal a complex web of social and institutional histories.