Portret van Eugen, Reichsgraf von Inzaghi 1727 - 1751

Simon Thaddäus Sondermayr created this engraving, "Portret van Eugen, Reichsgraf von Inzaghi." Inzaghi was a religious leader in the Holy Roman Empire, and this portrait reflects the social and religious structures of the time. Notice how the oval frame imitates a classical bust, connecting Inzaghi to a tradition of elite portraiture. Sondermayr uses visual codes like the coat-of-arms and Latin inscription to signal Inzaghi's status and achievements. The image itself would have reinforced the power dynamics of the time, reinforcing the prestige of religious figures. What can we say about the institutions that shaped its creation? Perhaps Sondermayr’s Catholic faith influenced his depiction of Inzaghi, or maybe he received a commission from the church for this portrait. By studying period documents, we can begin to examine the power dynamics that shaped this portrait and the institutional forces it represents.