1721 Copper Engraving Portrait Marino Grimani Doge Serene Republic Venice EUM2

This is an original 1721 black and white copper engraving of "Marinus Grimanus Doge." This is a portrait of Marino Grimani, the 89th Doge of Venice, reigning from 1595 to 1605. The Doge of Venice, which is often mistranslated as "Duke," was the chief magistrate and leader of the Most Serene Republic of Venice. The Doge was the senior-most elected official of Venice and Genoa, as both cities were republics and elected Doges. Grimani began a quarrel with the papacy during his reign as Doge, limiting the power of the Papacy within the Republic of Venice and withdrawing a number of clerical privileges. As a result of these actions, Pope Paul V placed the Republic of Venice under a Papal Interdict during the reign of Grimani's successor, Leonardo Donato. The portrait is surrounded by a wonderful decorative motif mimicking a frame set against an etched background. The design features a subtly ornate frame with two sets of drapes resting atop a base with a decorative broach-like oval f