Portret van Guido Visconti 1625 - 1669

This is Giovanni Battista Bonacina’s portrait of Guido Visconti, captured in ink on paper. Visconti is portrayed in profile, clutching a staff, a symbol of authority stretching back to antiquity, think of the scepters of kings and the crooks of bishops. The staff, a simple yet potent emblem, echoes across time. We see it in the hands of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, Roman emperors, and even rendered in classical sculptures depicting philosophers or leaders. Consider how this motif has been passed down, often retaining its association with power, guidance, and control, even as societies and beliefs evolve. The presence of the staff engages us on a subconscious level, tapping into our deep-seated understanding of hierarchy and leadership. The way it is held, the angle of the arm, speaks to a composed authority, yet there’s a tension—a weight, perhaps—in the gesture. The staff is more than just a prop, it is a marker of cyclical progression—of power asserted, challenged, and reimagined throughout history.