Vaticaanse obelisk op het Sint-Pietersplein te Vaticaanstad 1589

This print shows the Vatican obelisk in St. Peter's Square, made by an anonymous artist. The obelisk had been standing in Rome since antiquity, but its relocation to the Vatican under Pope Sixtus V in 1586 was a major feat of engineering, a symbol of the Catholic Church's power. This image presents the obelisk as a monument to papal authority, standing tall in front of St. Peter's Basilica. The inscriptions on the print further reinforce this message, celebrating Sixtus V's achievements. Consider how the choice to depict this specific monument, and to include those inscriptions, reflects the cultural and political climate of the time. The Vatican was actively promoting its authority in response to the Protestant Reformation, and art became a key tool in this effort. Understanding the historical context helps us interpret the print not just as a depiction of a monument, but as a statement about power, religion, and the role of art in shaping public perception. Examining archival documents, papal records, and architectural plans could further illuminate the social and institutional forces that shaped its production.