Portret van kardinaal Angelo Celsi 1664 - 1679

Albertus Clouwet made this engraving of Cardinal Angelo Celsi in Rome around 1664. The print gives us insight into the structures of power at the time. Celsi was part of the papal court, a powerful institution. Look closely. Everything in the image is designed to signal Celsi's high status. The coat of arms at the top, his elaborate robes, and even the Latin inscription below all contribute to this effect. The print was produced during the Baroque era, a period in which the Catholic Church sought to reassert its authority through grand displays of wealth and power. As art historians, we can examine church records, consult period documents, and compare this print to other similar images to understand the social and institutional context in which it was made. In doing so, we can see how art played a crucial role in reinforcing social hierarchies and shaping public perception.