Portret van een Kardinaal c. 1775 - 1785

Francesco Barbazza created this portrait of a cardinal using engraving techniques. The piece provides insight into the rigid social structures of its time. Dominicus Passionevus, whose portrait is captured here, was not only a cardinal but also a member of the Papal Curia which suggests a position of considerable influence within the Catholic Church. The print situates Passionevus as a man of power, literacy, and deep religious commitment. His garments signal his rank and his dedication to the church, while the book and quill connect him to scholarship and the production of religious doctrine. Portraits like these affirmed and perpetuated the power of the church, but they also offered individuals like Passionevus a way to solidify their legacy. The portrait is not just a depiction, but a carefully constructed statement about identity, faith, and authority in a world shaped by religious institutions.