Fontein en visvijver in de tuinen van de Villa Montalto te Rome 1653 - 1691

This is Giovanni Francesco Venturini’s etching of the fountain and fishpond in the gardens of the Villa Montalto in Rome. Venturini, who died in 1700, was working at a time when the gardens of the Roman elite became stages for displays of wealth and power. Notice how the terraced design and the strategic placement of sculptures create a theatrical effect. This wasn't merely about aesthetics. It was about projecting an image of grandeur and control. The statues that encircle the pond, mostly male, classical figures, draw on the pervasive cultural narrative of the time, which linked masculinity, power, and the classical world. The villa and its gardens also functioned as social spaces. They were exclusive sites where social performances took place, and hierarchies were reinforced. They reflected the values of a society deeply stratified by gender, class, and social status. Think about the labor that went into creating and maintaining this space, the stories of those who were excluded from it, and what their lived experiences might have been. The print provides a window into the lives of the elite but also hints at the complex social dynamics at play.