Pope Paul III 1543

Titian painted this portrait of Pope Paul III in oil on canvas at an unknown date. It is held in the National Museum of Capodimonte, Naples, Italy. The pontiff is shown in an assertive, commanding pose, dressed in the rich, ceremonial robes that mark his high office. What does this image tell us about the role of portraiture within the powerful institution of the Catholic Church? In Renaissance Italy, portraiture served a clear purpose: to assert the power of the individual portrayed. As head of the Catholic Church, Pope Paul III held immense sway over politics and culture during his reign. Titian's portrait, with its display of wealth, can be understood as a commentary on papal power. Through a study of the Vatican archives, we can trace the ways that successive Popes used imagery to shape their public image. We can also come to a better understanding of the social conditions that determined the production of art in this period.