Ceiling of Staircase, Palazzo Mattei 1745 - 1760

Sir William Chambers made this drawing of the Ceiling of a Staircase in the Palazzo Mattei, though the exact date of its making is unknown. Chambers lived during a period of intense social and political transformation, including the Enlightenment and the rise of global empires. Chambers, as an architect, was deeply influenced by classical aesthetics, which were often associated with power and authority. Yet the ornate detailing could also be read as an expression of elite identity and status. Who gets to decide what is considered "beautiful" or "tasteful", and how does that affect our perceptions of class and social standing? The drawing itself is not merely a neutral record; it's an interpretation, shaped by Chambers' artistic sensibilities and the cultural values of his time. It represents a world where power, beauty, and privilege are intricately woven together, raising questions about who gets to shape our environments and whose stories are told in stone and plaster.