Doorsnede van de Sint-Pietersbasiliek 1687 - 1717

Alessandro Specchi created this print, “Doorsnede van de Sint-Pietersbasiliek," offering us a view into the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica. Specchi, born in Rome, would have been keenly aware of the power and influence wielded by the Catholic Church during the late Baroque period. This print presents a meticulously detailed cross-section of the basilica. Architectural prints like this one, served not only as documents of existing structures but also as statements of cultural and religious authority. Note how the scale of the building dwarfs the tiny figures populating the foreground, reinforcing the Church's dominance. This architectural print invites us to consider the emotional impact of constructed spaces. What does it mean to create environments intended to inspire awe and reverence? And whose stories are truly being told within these walls?