Portret van Urbanus VII 1628 - 1670

Pieter de Jode II created this engraving, "Portrait of Urbanus VII," in the 17th century. It captures Pope Urbanus VII, who had one of the shortest reigns in papal history. Consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture of this era. De Jode, as the artist, had the task of representing the Pope in a way that upheld his authority and spiritual significance. How does this portrait contribute to the construction of papal identity? The Pope’s regalia and the formal composition reinforce his status, yet the image also conveys a sense of the individual behind the office. This work invites us to reflect on the intersections of power, representation, and identity in the context of the Catholic Church and its influence during the 17th century. What does it mean to capture the image of a person who is not only an individual but also a symbol of immense spiritual and political power?