Portret van paus Adrianus VI 1572

This is Philips Galle's 'Portret van paus Adrianus VI', made with etching in the late 16th century, now at the Rijksmuseum. The portrait presents a somber Pope Adrianus VI, rendered with a meticulous use of line and texture. The artist employs a tight, controlled network of lines to define the contours of the Pope's face and vestments. Note how these precise, almost clinical lines give a sense of weight and formality to the figure. Galle's formal approach invites us to consider the structures of power and representation inherent in portraiture. The composition, with its emphasis on symmetry and balance, reinforces the authority of the subject. The intricate detailing of the Pope’s garments further adds to the visual language, a semiotic encoding of status. This challenges us to think about how portraiture is not merely a representation but a carefully constructed statement of identity and authority.