Binnenplaats van Villa Farnese te Caprarola after 1655

Giovanni Battista Falda created this print of the courtyard of the Villa Farnese in Caprarola during the latter half of the 17th century. Falda’s representation offers not just a visual depiction, but also embodies the aristocratic ideals of the era. Consider the concept of "access" as you examine this cut-away view. While architecture often dictates the physical accessibility of space, prints like these shape cultural access by disseminating images of grandeur to a broader audience. Moreover, Falda was a prominent member of the male-dominated art world. His detailed rendering of the Villa, commissioned by the elite, contrasts sharply with the lives of ordinary people. Through his art, Falda reinforces a social hierarchy, inviting viewers to marvel at the opulence of the Farnese family. What does it mean to make visible, to reveal a usually private space? This print then is more than an architectural study; it is a cultural artifact which highlights the power dynamics inherent in artistic representation.