Portret van Carlo Anguissola 18th century

F. Bordiga created this portrait of Carlo Anguissola using engraving, a printmaking technique that was popular across Europe. Engravings like this one played a crucial role in shaping social and cultural life. Before photography, printed images were the primary way that people saw and understood the world around them. Engravings circulated images of people and places, helping to create a sense of shared culture and identity. They were often commissioned by institutions or wealthy individuals to promote themselves. Here, the Latin inscription celebrates Anguissola as a man of law, science, and the arts, indicating that he was a patron of learning and culture. In producing this print Bordiga both commemorates and contributes to Anguissola's legacy. Historians interested in the Anguissola family, or the history of printmaking, can use primary sources like letters, diaries, and financial records to learn more about the social conditions that shaped this image.