Portrait of Abbondio Rezzonico 1766

Pompeo Batoni’s portrait captures Abbondio Rezzonico amidst symbols of status and authority. The composition presents a carefully constructed arrangement where color and form underscore the subject's importance. Rezzonico is draped in a robe of vibrant red and gold which commands attention and signifies power. The sharp lines of the architecture contrast with the soft curves of the fabrics and the figure, creating a dynamic visual tension. The inclusion of Justice as a structural element, both statue and cherubic presence, presents an allegory of judgment and moral order. Batoni balances classical elements with the personal, engaging with philosophical ideas about justice, virtue, and representation. The painting thus functions as a complex sign, reflecting not only individual identity but also the cultural codes of its time. In this, Batoni destabilizes the idea of portraiture as mere likeness, elevating it to a discourse on power and meaning.