Fotoreproductie van een prent door Delfini van het portret van Maddalena Strozzi door Rafaël before 1869

Joseph Cundall made this photogravure reproduction of a print by Delfini of Raphael’s portrait of Maddalena Strozzi. The original painting, dating back to the early 16th century, captures a Florentine noblewoman, embodying the Renaissance ideals of beauty and virtue. In Cundall’s reproduction, we encounter a layered representation, each reflecting its own time and cultural context. The reproduction, made in the 19th century, prompts us to consider the role of photography in democratizing art and disseminating images of powerful women like Maddalena Strozzi. Look closely at Strozzi’s serene gaze and the meticulous details of her dress and jewelry. These elements speak to the conventions of Renaissance portraiture, where women were often depicted as symbols of wealth and status within patriarchal structures. However, her composed demeanor also hints at a sense of individual agency, inviting us to look beyond the surface. This image is not just a portrait, but a reflection on the layers of identity, representation, and power that span across centuries.