Portret van Barthelemi Giavarina 1700

Pierre François Giffart made this print of Barthelemi Giavarina, sometime between 1677 and 1723. It shows the kind of social relationships that underpinned artistic production. Giavarina was a Venetian who served as ambassador to both the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold and Louis XIV of France. The Latin inscription at the bottom of the print tells us that Giavarina served both emperors in a secretarial role. The architectural frame around the sitter and the stone plinth on which he rests his hand imply that he is a man of substance and culture. The image operates as a record of Giavarina’s achievements, but also Giffart’s artistic skill. Patrons like Giavarina were essential for artists seeking to make a name for themselves. In understanding the image, historians might consult diplomatic archives to reveal more about the social and institutional context in which it was made.