Architectural Design in Section 1700 - 1800

Leonardo Marini created this architectural design in section with pen and black ink, with gray wash, over black chalk. It shows how 18th century architectural drawings were not simply technical exercises, but also cultural and social statements. Marini presents an idealized vision, rather than a practical blueprint. The design emphasizes grandeur and imposing presence. We might reflect on who is meant to inhabit this space, and who is excluded. This drawing invites us to consider the ways in which architecture reflects and reinforces societal hierarchies. The design speaks to the power and privilege associated with wealth and status. It makes us wonder about the social dynamics of the spaces we inhabit, and whose stories they tell.