John Hinchcliffe, Bishop of Peterborough 1779 - 1802

Francesco Bartolozzi created this stipple engraving of John Hinchcliffe, Bishop of Peterborough. Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver, worked in London during a time when portraiture served to reinforce the social hierarchy. Hinchcliffe's profile, framed within an oval, captures the power and privilege associated with his position. The elaborate wig, a symbol of status, and the subtle suggestion of ecclesiastical dress, speak to the visual language of authority in 18th-century Britain. Consider the emotional weight of such images, how they functioned to solidify class distinctions and project an image of the elite. Portraits like this weren't merely likenesses; they were carefully constructed statements about identity and power. Bartolozzi’s technical skill is evident in the delicate stippling, but it's the cultural narrative embedded in the image that resonates across time, inviting us to reflect on the enduring themes of representation and social structure.