Portret van paus Pius VII 1788 - 1835

Curator: This is "Portret van paus Pius VII," a print made by Luigi Fabri between 1788 and 1835. The details are so intricate—it really is an impressive display of engraving! Editor: There's something inherently melancholic about this portrait. Maybe it's the subdued greyscale tones, but I immediately feel the weight of responsibility etched into his gaze. You can see the artist tried for realism with his style, however, it doesn't mask the deep-seated worry within him. Curator: The realism definitely pulls me in; he looks quite contemplative! As a Neoclassical print, this work embodies the ideals of the period – a revival of classical forms emphasizing clarity, order, and rationality. The artist, Fabri, would've likely seen the subject as more than just a man but also as a symbol of the enduring power and grace of the Church. Editor: Right, and Pius VII lived through some exceptionally turbulent times, didn't he? I'm immediately wondering about the French Revolution, the Napoleonic era, the Church losing temporal power, how these broader political situations impacted how Pius VII engaged with issues around social justice and power consolidation in Rome. Curator: Exactly! The papacy was really under pressure then. Perhaps Fabri wanted to emphasize Pius's dignity despite all of the political turmoil in those times. And the man had some grit: imprisoned by Napoleon, exiled… but here, we see serenity. Or at least a mask of it. It is almost an idealized interpretation despite the very real events happening in this pope’s life at the time. Editor: And an ideal that's inevitably shaped by Fabri's own social context, right? Was he trying to immortalize a perceived victim? Curator: Maybe, maybe not. One could certainly argue he attempts to do just that, even if it's alluding to the Neoclassical conventions for portraiture! Editor: Looking at the framing of this artwork really tells a lot about that—Fabri is trying to control a narrative through lines and shading... it doesn't hide the inherent worry on his face, though, which might have added to Pius VII's appeal amongst certain groups. What a loaded, complicated, historical narrative told through lines. Curator: It all feels beautifully contained within the precision of the engraving technique, and the story it holds for audiences! Editor: Precisely, and to think all of these contexts become inscribed on a print of this style... layers upon layers!