Charles Joseph de Pollinochove c. 18th century

Curator: This is a portrait of Charles Joseph de Pollinochove by Carlo Domenico Melini. Melini was active in the latter half of the 18th century. Editor: The opulence practically leaps off the page. I'm immediately struck by the sumptuousness of the fur-trimmed robes and the elaborately powdered wig. Curator: Considering Pollinochove's role as a parliament president, the artist’s choices speak to the performance of power and social identity in that era. Editor: Exactly. The engraving highlights the material culture of authority—the wig, the robes, the seal—each element meticulously crafted and contributing to a very specific construction of status. How does his position impact the means of production of this artwork? Curator: Well, his patronage clearly enabled Melini to create this enduring image, framing Pollinochove within the visual language of governance. Editor: Looking at it that way enriches my understanding. It's not just a portrait, it's a document of power and its material representation. Curator: Indeed, a visual record of the structures upholding his status.