Portrait Bust of Pope Clement X c. late 1668th century

This is a bronze portrait bust of Pope Clement X, crafted by an anonymous artist. The most striking symbols are the papal tiara and keys, prominently displayed on his vestments. These are not mere decorations; they are potent emblems of papal authority. The tiara, a tri-coroneted crown, represents the Pope's threefold power as father of princes and kings, ruler of the world, and vicar of Christ. The keys, echoing Saint Peter, symbolize the power to bind and loose, to forgive sins and open the gates of Heaven. Consider how the image of keys, a symbol of authority, stretches back to ancient Roman depictions of Janus, the god of doorways and beginnings. The baton, not represented here, appears in ancient Greek sculpture, symbolizing power and order. These objects resurface across time, evolving and adapting in meaning, yet always retaining a core association with control and dominion. This portrait is not merely a depiction of Clement X; it's a manifestation of enduring symbols of power that resonate through the ages.