Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Portrait of Pope Alexander VII (Fabio Chigi)
(Baroque Europe )
The stately figure of the pope sits before a lavish drapery suggesting an aristocratic setting. He raises his right hand with its papal ring in a gesture of benediction. By seeing the pope blessing his audience, viewers are reminded that he is Christ's representative on earth.
Fabio Chigi, who became Pope Alexander VII, ruled from 1655 until his death in 1667. Papal portraits were produced in many versions and were widely distributed. They were given as diplomatic gifts or acquired as expressions of political allegiance. This painting was probably executed by an assistant after an original by Baciccio.
For more information on this portrait, please see Federico Zeri's 1976 catalogue no. 326, pp. 452-453.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Don Marcello Massarenti Collection, Rome [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [1881 catalogue: no. 218; 1897 catalogue: no. 350, as Baciccio]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1902, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| Examination | examined for condition | |
| 11/1/1944 | Treatment | varnish removed or reduced |
| 4/27/2005 | Treatment | cleaned; surface cleaned |
Geographies
Italy, Rome (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Visible painted surface H: 35 1/2 x W: 30 3/16 in. (90.1 x 76.7 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters with the Massarenti Collection, 1902
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
37.598