Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Small Portraits of the Popes from Christ to Innocent IX 1585 - 1599

Giovanni Ambrogio Brambilla created "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Small Portraits of the Popes from Christ to Innocent IX" as an engraving on a sheet, offering us a glimpse into the visual culture and power structures of late 16th-century Rome. In a period marked by religious conflict and the consolidation of papal authority, Brambilla presents row upon row of meticulously rendered portraits, each depicting a pope from Christian history. As you observe the faces, consider how the papacy projected its image through portraiture, reinforcing its spiritual and temporal authority. Consider also how the portraits invite reflection on the complex relationship between religious leadership, political power, and personal identity. While each portrait strives to capture the likeness of its subject, the effect of the grid format raises questions about individuality versus institutional roles. What does it mean to represent power through a succession of similar images? Brambilla's work encourages us to consider the weight of history. We're invited to reflect on the legacies of these figures, and the ongoing resonance within religious and political spheres.