Jan Visscher
Dutch, 1633-1692
Portrait of Cardinal Zacharias de Mez
INV-9421
Jan Visscher
Dutch, 1633-1692c. 1661
Portrait of Cardinal Zacharias de Mez
Jan Visscher Dutch, 1633-1692 →engravingprint
Date
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.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Horace S. Oakley
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.