Portret van kardinaal Roberto Bellarmino aan zijn schrijftafel 1621 - 1662

This is Johann Friedrich Greuter’s engraving of Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino at his writing desk. Made sometime between 1590 and 1662, the print offers us insight into the life and work of a leading figure in the Counter-Reformation. Bellarmino, a Jesuit Cardinal, was deeply involved in the religious and intellectual debates of his time. He’s most famous for his arguments against Galileo. Here, Bellarmino is portrayed not just as a religious leader, but as a scholar deeply immersed in his texts. The crucifix, the cherub, and his formal attire, all speak to the intersection of his religious identity and intellectual life. What does it mean to be a man of the church, and of the word? Note the books—they speak to his labor, his intellect, and the very real power that comes from knowledge. Greuter's engraving captures a pivotal moment in history, reflecting the complex interplay between faith, reason, and power. It invites us to consider the personal and intellectual battles fought in the name of belief.