Portret van Lorenzo Cozza after 1726

Curator: This engraving is a portrait of Lorenzo Cozza, created sometime after 1726 by Jan Baptist Jongelinx. What strikes you about it? Editor: Immediately, I'm drawn to the tonal range; Jongelinx has achieved impressive depth with subtle shifts in hatching, particularly across the face. The oval framing device creates a powerful focal point. Curator: The oval frame is characteristic of the era. What do you think Jongelinx, through his representation of Cozza, is trying to convey about the Cardinal’s identity? Editor: He is portrayed as intelligent, assured, and spiritually engaged. Cozza is shown as resolute, someone who is both intellectual and empathetic, suggested through the careful modelling around his eyes. Curator: Cozza, as a Cardinal, carries potent symbolic weight in the church. The inscriptions and coat of arms amplify these associations of piety and purpose. It speaks to the legacy he left behind, particularly his dedication as both an architect and scholar. Editor: Let's talk about the materiality. The density of lines forming the inscription gives a sense of tangible weight, doesn't it? As an object, the print possesses a graphic solidity that aligns well with the values of permanence Cozza stood for. Curator: Absolutely, the physical print embodies the gravity and historical presence of Cozza himself, ensuring he remains a figure that both inspires and instructs future generations. Editor: Looking at the geometric rendering of the face with the lines going different directions reminds me that image production depends on networks of people working in different ways, similar to institutions that bring together people to work towards common causes. Curator: Fascinating, this brings another layer to this analysis and what it symbolizes, so that the medium becomes emblematic. Thank you for your observations.