Francis Bacon 1615 - 1621

Simon de Pas created this engraving of Francis Bacon in England during the early 17th century. The image presents us with more than just a portrait; it encapsulates the social status and intellectual aspirations of its sitter. Bacon, depicted with the attire and symbols of high office, was a leading philosopher, statesman, and jurist. The elaborate frame, inscribed with Latin phrases, elevates him to almost mythical status, characteristic of the period's effort to combine classical and Christian virtues. The symbols of heraldry suggest Bacon’s place within England’s elite social hierarchy. But beyond mere representation, the image serves as a statement of Bacon’s own self-conception as a man of letters and affairs. To fully understand this image, one might delve into the archives of the institutions Bacon served, study period treatises on governance and philosophy, or explore the visual language of power prevalent in the Stuart era. The meaning of art, after all, is contingent on its social and institutional context.