Portret van paus Innocentius X 1645

Adriaen Matham created this print of Pope Innocent X using engraving, sometime in the mid-17th century. It’s a formal portrait, framed by symbolic figures and Latin text, reflecting the visual language of power and authority. Made in the Netherlands, this artwork shows us how the image of the Pope was received and circulated outside of Italy. The Dutch Republic, though largely Protestant, still engaged with the visual culture emanating from Rome, adapting it for their own purposes. Notice the angels, papal symbols, and classical allusions, which situate Innocent X within a grand historical narrative, while also implying the immense power of the Catholic Church. The image, therefore, operates on multiple levels, serving both to inform and persuade its viewers. To understand the significance of this image, we can turn to period documents, religious studies, and the history of printmaking. By exploring these resources, we gain insight into the social and institutional contexts that shaped both the creation and reception of Matham's portrait.