Fotoreproductie van een schilderij, voorstellende een portret van kardinaal Henry Edward Manning before 1891

This photogravure by Russell & Sons captures Cardinal Henry Edward Manning in a portrait that speaks volumes about power and faith. Manning, a convert to Catholicism, rose to become a key figure in the Victorian era, deeply involved in social and political issues. The portrait, with its stark profile and clerical garb, situates Manning within a visual language of religious authority, yet it’s also a study in the complexities of identity. How does a man, born into the Church of England, redefine himself through conversion and service to a different spiritual order? Manning's commitment to social justice, particularly his advocacy for the working class, complicates the traditional image of the religious elite. He once said, "All human power is a trust for its exercise". This image invites us to consider how individuals navigate their roles within larger structures of power, and how personal beliefs can intersect with public action, challenging the status quo.