Pope Benedict XIV

Subleyras was chosen to paint the pope’s state portrait, but this direct, informal image takes us much closer to the man whom Horace Walpole described as “a priest without insolence or interest, a prince without favorites.” His slack jawline and five o’clock shadow humanize a holy sitter. A supreme colorist, Subleyras was perfectly suited to tackle the limited palette of papal winter garb, Benedict XIV’s ermine-lined cape (mozzetta) and hat (camauro). The stole is decorated with the papal keys and armorial device of the noble Lambertini family of Bologna.