Portret van Gioacchino Ventura 1851

Alphonse Farcy made this print of Gioacchino Ventura sometime in the mid-19th century. As a portrait, it’s attempting to capture not only the likeness of Ventura, but also something of his status and character. Looking at the way Ventura is presented, we can read much about the hierarchies of the church at this time. His dress signifies his clerical position, anchoring him to the powerful institution of the Catholic Church and, more broadly, the Papal States of Italy during this period. The print was made at a time when the church was both a major political power and a patron of the arts. The artist has used the conventions of portraiture to show Ventura as a figure of authority within the church. Understanding the historical context of this image relies on research into the sitter, the artist, and the institutions with which they were associated. The meaning of the artwork lies in its relation to a specific time and place.