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Pope Clement X (1590–1676)

ca. 1670–71
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 620
Gaulli was closely associated with the great sculptor Bernini, who finished his Altar of the Sacrament in Saint Peter’s for Clement X. In this portrait, Gaulli was equally inspired by Bernini, who later carved a portrait bust of the pope, and Velázquez, whose celebrated portrait of Clement’s predecessor, Innocent X, he is known to have copied. Clement X is depicted in winter garb, wearing a fur lined hat (camauro) and sumptuous cape (mozzetta). Like portraits of kings, papal portraits were prized diplomatic gifts, often made in multiples and widely circulated; this is the finest of seven known versions.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pope Clement X (1590–1676)
  • Artist: Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio) (Italian, Genoa 1639–1709 Rome)
  • Date: ca. 1670–71
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 30 1/2 × 24 1/4 in. (77.5 × 61.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of European Paintings Gifts, 2017
  • Object Number: 2017.422
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Allegory of the Immaculate Conception, Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio) Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash. Squared in black chalk
Allegory of the Immaculate Conception
Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio)
1639–1709
Christ Giving the Host to a Holy Abbess (after Gaulli), Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio) Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash. Squared in black chalk
Christ Giving the Host to a Holy Abbess (after Gaulli)
Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio)
1639–1709
Allegorical Figure of Faith, Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio) Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with white, over a little black chalk, on brownish paper
Allegorical Figure of Faith
Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio)
1672
Christ Giving the Host to a Holy Abbess, Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio) Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash. Squared in black chalk
Christ Giving the Host to a Holy Abbess
Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio)
1690
Allegorical Composition: Music and Justice with the Spinola Arms, Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio) Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with white, over black chalk, on rose-washed paper
Allegorical Composition: Music and Justice with the Spinola Arms
Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Il Baciccio)
1639–1709

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