Portrait of Cardinal Zacharias de Mez
c. 1661
Medium
Engraving on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Plate: 43 × 28.5 cm (16 15/16 × 11 1/4 in.); Sheet: 44.1 × 30.2 cm (17 3/8 × 11 15/16 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
9421
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
For centuries printmaking has been used as a tool for religious propaganda, spreading images of idolized figures to followers across the world for use in daily ritual. Jan Visscher’s posthumous portrait of the Belgian Cardinal Zacharias de Mez appears in an early, unlettered proof state and lacks all identifying features beyond his coat of arms. While he maintains a challenging, omniscient gaze, he is more recognizable to the masses as a religious figure through his miter, robe, and crucifix.