Portret van Joseph Zongo Ondedei 1656

Michel Lasne created this engraving of Joseph Zongo Ondedei, a bishop from Corsica, sometime between 1590 and 1667. It presents a compelling glimpse into the complexities of identity and representation during the early modern period. Lasne, as a European artist, captures Ondedei through a lens that is undoubtedly shaped by the cultural norms and expectations of his time. Ondedei’s identity as a man of the church is clear but also consider the dynamics of power and representation inherent in portraiture of this era. Whose gaze is being centered? How does Lasne's position as the artist influence the way Ondedei is presented and perceived? Consider what it meant for a Black man to rise to such a position within the 17th century Catholic Church, and the ways in which this portrait might affirm or subvert existing social hierarchies. While the engraving may not offer a complete picture of Ondedei's lived experience, it serves as a starting point for exploring broader questions about race, religion, and representation in European history.