Portret van de Augustijn en kardinaal Girolamo Seripando 1636

This is Cornelis Galle I’s ‘Portrait of the Augustinian Cardinal Girolamo Seripando’, made as an engraving. Consider the historical context; the Catholic Church in the 16th and 17th centuries was a nexus of political power, and the visual arts played a crucial role in shaping identities and solidifying authority. Seripando himself was a key figure during the Counter-Reformation. Observe how Galle's engraving immortalizes Seripando, not just as an individual, but as an embodiment of the Church's power. The very act of creating and circulating such images reinforced social hierarchies, asserting the dominance of the clergy and the Church's teachings. This portrait is a careful construction of identity, designed to project authority, piety, and intellectual gravitas. It serves as a potent reminder of how images can be wielded to shape perceptions, reinforce social structures, and leave a lasting imprint on the collective consciousness.