Fotoreproductie van een geschilderd portret van Julius II door Rafaël in de Galleria Pitti te Florence 1852 - 1890

This is a photographic reproduction by Fratelli Alinari of Raphael’s portrait of Pope Julius II, taken at the Galleria Pitti in Florence. The Alinari brothers were known for their photographic reproductions of artworks, making art accessible to a wider audience. Consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. Raphael, a celebrated Renaissance artist, immortalized Julius II, a powerful figurehead of the Catholic Church. The Pope was a controversial figure, a warrior pope, known for his political and military ambitions. This image, captured and reproduced by the Alinari brothers, speaks to the complex intersections of art, power, and identity. What does it mean to reproduce an image of power? While preserving the likeness of the original painting, this reproduction invites us to reflect on the layers of mediation and interpretation involved in experiencing art across time and media. It prompts us to consider how historical figures are remembered and re-imagined through art.