Portret van Matteo Visconti 1549 - 1575

This is an engraving of Matteo Visconti by an anonymous artist. We can situate its cultural context by considering the Italian tradition of portraiture, where depictions of rulers served to legitimize their power. The image creates meaning through specific visual codes. Visconti is shown in profile, a format borrowed from ancient coins and cameos, connecting him to the authority of the Roman emperors. His clothing denotes wealth and status. Note too the decorative frame, featuring lion heads, framing him as a figure of strength and nobility. Historical research into the Visconti family and Milanese history would give us even more context. We might want to look at the patronage networks of the time. Who commissioned this print and why? What was its intended audience? What were the social and political functions of images in Visconti's time? By researching the institutions and social context of the artwork, we can gain a far richer understanding of its meaning and significance.