Portret van kardinaal Girolamo Gastaldi 1673 - 1691

This engraving portrays Cardinal Girolamo Gastaldi and was made in 1673 by an anonymous artist. During this era, the Catholic Church wielded significant power, shaping both spiritual and political life. Gastaldi, as a cardinal, was a prominent figure within this structure, his identity intertwined with the Church's authority. Note the two coats of arms at the top which symbolize the Cardinal's status and allegiance. What does it mean to construct someone's identity through symbols of power and affiliation? The way Gastaldi is represented—his attire, his posture—reflects the era’s emphasis on hierarchy and religious devotion. Consider how portraits like these not only captured an individual's likeness but also reinforced societal norms and power structures. How might Gastaldi have felt, seeing himself immortalized in this manner, his legacy shaped by the Church?