Gezicht op de kerk Sant'Andrea della Valle te Rome Possibly 1750

This print, "View of St. Andrew's Church della Valle at Rome," was created by Robert Sayer in the late 18th century. It captures not only the architectural grandeur of the Sant'Andrea della Valle but also the social fabric of Rome during that time. Notice how the figures populating the square in front of the church are carefully placed to suggest a sense of bustling activity. Consider, too, the class distinctions subtly conveyed through attire and carriage. Sayer, as an engraver and print seller in London, was part of a burgeoning industry that catered to a growing interest in travel and culture among the British elite. Prints like these weren't just about documentation; they were about shaping perceptions and reinforcing a Eurocentric worldview. Sayer's Rome is one of classical splendor viewed through the lens of the Grand Tour, a rite of passage for wealthy Europeans. What do we make of the emotional investment in this image, knowing it served to bolster particular identities and power structures?