Portret van paus Sixtus V 1590 - 1665

Friedrich van Hulsen created this portrait of Pope Sixtus V using engraving, a technique which allows for highly detailed and reproducible images. Sixtus V, who reigned from 1585 to 1590, was a significant figure during the Counter-Reformation. His humble origins contrast sharply with the opulence of his papal attire, which includes an elaborate mitre and heavily embroidered vestments. The inscription "DE VENTRE MA / ES DEUS PRO" above his head translates to "God from my mother's womb." This was a testament to the belief that his ascent to the papacy was divinely ordained. How did Sixtus V, born Felice Piergentili, navigate the complex social and political landscape of 16th-century Europe to become one of the most influential Popes of his time? This portrait, with its careful attention to detail, asks us to reflect on the intersection of faith, power, and personal history. What does it mean to see oneself as chosen?