Allegorie op het geslacht Barberini 1623 - 1668

Editor: So this is Reinier van Persijn’s "Allegorie op het geslacht Barberini", dating from 1623 to 1668. It's a print, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It has quite a formal, staged feeling to it, almost like a political rally, but with figures floating on clouds. What strikes you about this work? Curator: What I find immediately compelling is the depiction of power and its performance in a very specific historical moment. This isn't just a family portrait; it’s a carefully constructed narrative intended to solidify the Barberini’s position. Consider the allegorical figures, the Latin inscriptions...they're all tools used to craft and control a particular image. Do you notice any potential tensions or contradictions within this seemingly harmonious image of power? Editor: I do. Those figures to the left, the ones gesturing toward the inscription – their clothes look more “oriental,” less Roman. Why would they be included here? Curator: Precisely! Those figures represent the “spoils” of the Barberini’s influence and papal power. The "Orient" becomes a symbol of their reach, of the places and people they exert control over. But consider this further: How does representing the “other” in this way reinforce a sense of European superiority, and what implications does that have for understanding this family's legacy in a broader, more critical context? Editor: It definitely makes you think about the cost of power and who is included or excluded in the narrative. Are the angels also used in the same context? Curator: Absolutely! The angels above reinforce a divine right, connecting the family to a celestial, unquestionable authority. But let's also consider who this print was made *for*. How did it circulate? What kind of power dynamics did it create or solidify amongst its viewers? Editor: It's more than just a portrait; it is very layered, with lots of encoded historical and cultural details about the Barberini. Thanks. Curator: Indeed. And by interrogating those layers, we can uncover the complex interplay of power, representation, and ideology that continues to shape our world.