Portret van kardinaal Gabriele Ferretti 1829 - 1895

Francesco Ratti made this print of Gabriele Ferretti in the 19th century. The image presents Ferretti, a cardinal, seated and adorned with the symbols of his office. In 19th-century Europe, the Catholic Church wielded considerable social and political influence. Portraits like this reinforced that power, presenting church officials as figures of authority and wisdom. The print medium allowed for wider circulation of these images, thereby extending the reach of the Church’s message. Ratti's skill as a printmaker contributed to the effectiveness of this visual propaganda. Art historians can look into the social networks of both the artist and his subject, or consider the role of religious institutions in the production and distribution of such images. It reveals much about the intricate relationship between art, power, and society in 19th-century Europe.