Portrait of Pope Pius VII 1829

This is Samuel Cousins' portrait of Pope Pius VII, made using mezzotint. Here, the Pope is enthroned, a visual language that stretches back to antiquity. The chair, the very seat of power, is a motif we find echoing through time, from the pharaohs of Egypt to the emperors of Rome. Notice too the papal garments. They are not merely clothes, but symbols of spiritual authority, each thread imbued with centuries of tradition and meaning. Consider the ring upon his finger. This isn’t just adornment; it's the Fisherman's Ring, a symbol of his office that connects him to Saint Peter, the first pope, and to Christ himself. These symbols are not static but evolve through history, acquiring new layers of significance, adapting to the cultural and political currents of their time. These elements tap into our collective memory, engaging us on a subconscious level. This portrait echoes the non-linear and cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new meanings across different historical contexts.