Palazzo Farnese te Rome 1747 - 1761

Giuseppe Vasi created this print of the Palazzo Farnese in Rome sometime in the 18th century. Vasi, an engraver and architect, was known for his detailed views of Rome, catering to the Grand Tour travelers. This image presents more than just the architecture of the palazzo; it encapsulates the stratified social life of 18th-century Rome. Notice how the figures populating the square are carefully placed, indicating a hierarchy of space and movement. Carriages and well-dressed individuals occupy the foreground, while more common folk are relegated to the edges. The Palazzo Farnese itself was a site of power, serving as a residence for the Farnese family and later as the French Embassy. The print offers a glimpse into the dynamics of class and access within the urban landscape. The Palazzo and its surrounding square were stages upon which social identities were performed and reinforced. Vasi’s work invites us to consider how architecture and urban planning contribute to these social dynamics.