Plate 2: two figures outside of the walls of a town, a tower at center 1680 - 1747

Lodovico Mattioli created this etching, titled "Plate 2: two figures outside of the walls of a town, a tower at center," during a period of significant social transformation. As European society was becoming increasingly urbanized, etchings like this captured a nostalgic look at the rural landscape. The print depicts figures outside the walls of a town dominated by a towering structure. Consider for a moment the implications of living inside or outside these walls. These barriers were not only physical but also social and economic. Those within enjoyed protection and status, while those outside often faced marginalization. The body language of the two figures suggests a narrative of exclusion, as they are confined outside the center of power. Mattioli’s work invites us to consider who is included and who is excluded from the perceived ideal of society. It serves as a poignant reflection on the enduring human experience of seeking belonging and recognition.