Gevel en verticale doorsnede van het paleis van kardinaal Alessandrino after 1655

This is Giovanni Battista Falda's engraving of the Gevel en verticale doorsnede van het paleis van kardinaal Alessandrino, made in the late 17th century. Falda, an Italian engraver, was known for his detailed depictions of Roman architecture, bringing the city's grandeur to a wider audience. This print offers not just an image of the palace but also a glimpse into the power dynamics of the time. The palace itself, commissioned by a Cardinal, speaks to the immense wealth and influence of the Catholic Church. Falda’s precise lines render the palace in great detail, reflecting the social hierarchy where religious figures displayed their dominance through architecture. Consider how the architecture, with its imposing facade, embodies the values of the ruling class. Yet, it also invites us to reflect on those whose labor and skill made such structures possible, the working class of artisans who are rendered invisible. This image is a statement of power, of architectural innovation, and a silent witness to the lives it overshadowed.