Gezicht op de haven van Civitavecchia 1696 - 1709

Jacob de Later’s print shows us the harbor of Civitavecchia, likely made to celebrate and document the architecture and maritime activity of this important port. The image highlights a tension between commerce and military power. The elegant structure, probably a warehouse, suggests trade and prosperity, but the fortified tower with its billowing flag and cannons reminds us of the ever-present threat of conflict. Looking at the print through the lens of social and institutional history, we can see how this port, strategically located near Rome, played a vital role in the economic and political life of the Papal States. To fully understand this image, it is useful to research the economic history of the Papal States, the lives of the merchants and sailors who frequented the port, and the military strategies that shaped its defenses. Such investigation reveals the complex social and economic forces at play in early modern Italy.