Portret van Federico Barocci 1645 - 1715

This is Pierre Simon’s etched portrait of Federico Barocci, created sometime between 1640 and 1710. The print captures Barocci, an Italian Renaissance painter, framed within an ornate oval border of leaves. Simon, as a portrait engraver, operated within the strict social hierarchies of his time, where likenesses of prominent figures served to reinforce status and power. The very act of immortalizing someone in print was a statement of their importance. Barocci’s intense gaze and the meticulous detail afforded to his ruffled collar invite us into his persona. What does it mean to be remembered in such a formal, stylized way? The portrait provides a glimpse into the complex interplay between artistic representation, social identity, and the desire for enduring recognition. Simon’s work offers not just a picture, but an entry point into understanding the values of a bygone era, a world of nobles and patrons.