Langsdoorsnede van het Palazzo Carrega-Cataldi te Genua 1622

This is Nicolaes Ryckmans' 'Langsdoorsnede van het Palazzo Carrega-Cataldi te Genua', made sometime in the 17th century. Ryckmans meticulously details the architectural structure of the Palazzo, offering us a rare glimpse into the private spaces of the Genoese elite. During this period, the Republic of Genoa was a major maritime and financial power. Palatial architecture was not merely about shelter, but also a potent symbol of wealth, status, and power. What we see here isn't just a building; it’s a statement, a physical manifestation of the socio-economic hierarchies that defined the city. Consider the labour and resources required to construct such a building; it speaks volumes about the networks of power at play. The very stones of this palazzo whisper tales of merchants, bankers, and the complex social structures that upheld their dominance. Ryckmans' drawing invites us to reflect on the stories embedded in the architecture and the lives of those within its walls.