Portret van kardinaal Pietro Bembo c. 1597 - 1669

This is Theodor de Bry’s “Portret van kardinaal Pietro Bembo,” made sometime in the late 16th century. The print presents a portrait of the Cardinal, framed within an oval and set against a rectangular backdrop. The texture is created by fine, precise lines, giving depth and form to the figure and decorative elements. The composition emphasizes a contrast between organic and geometric forms. The soft curves of the floral ornamentation in the frame play against the strict lines of the lettering and rectangular cartouche. The overall structure serves to contain and define the Cardinal's image within a set of visual and textual codes. The careful arrangements of these elements, and the relationship between the lettering and the portrait itself, reflect an engagement with the Renaissance concern of integrating classical learning with visual representation. The image’s structure creates a sense of decorum fitting for a man of the church. Yet, the tension between the organic and geometric introduces a complexity of meaning.