Portret van kardinaal Lazzaro Pallavicino 1669 - 1679

Giuseppe Maria Testana created this engraved portrait of Cardinal Lazzaro Pallavicino, sometime in the late 17th century. The subject is framed within a sharply defined oval, and the image's overall impact is characterized by its clear, precise lines and carefully controlled use of light and shadow. Testana's formal approach constructs a rigid, hierarchical image. The Cardinal's face, with its severe expression, conveys a sense of authority, mirrored in the symmetrical composition. The meticulous rendering of textures – from the fabric of his garments to the subtle gradations of skin tone – adds to the portrait's visual complexity. The crests in the top left and right corners symbolize family and status, reinforcing the semiotic encoding of power. These structural elements underscore the values of that time, conveying the subject's importance while highlighting the artist's technical skill within established social and artistic norms.