View of Shipping and Newly Built Palaces of the Nobility in Naples 1681

Editor: Here we have "View of Shipping and Newly Built Palaces of the Nobility in Naples" by Melchior Küsel. It’s an etching, and I’m struck by how it feels both grand and intimate, like a stage set. What's your read? Curator: It's a fascinating glimpse into 17th or 18th-century Naples, don't you think? Imagine the hustle of the port, the aspirations of these newly erected palaces. Küsel seems to be asking us, what is the price of progress? All those ships out at sea, and that palace tucked behind the trees. Is it about trade, or wealth, or some weird combo of both? Editor: It’s like the ships are bringing the wealth to build the palaces! Thanks, that gives me a lot to think about.