Portret van kardinaal František Herzan von Harras 1780

Domenico Cunego created this print of František Herzan von Harras, a cardinal, using etching in the 18th century. Consider the role of the Catholic Church in the 1700s, and the power wielded by cardinals like Herzan von Harras. Here, he’s caught in a moment of scholarly work, quill in hand, crucifix on the shelf behind him. Yet, this isn't just a portrait of religious devotion; it’s a statement of authority. The visual language speaks volumes. The cardinal's gaze, the symbols of his office, all construct an image carefully designed to convey influence. It invites us to think about how power is visually represented and how individuals like Herzan von Harras navigated the intersections of religious, political, and personal identity in their time.