Fontein met adelaar te Rome 1637

Domenico Parasacchi created this print of a Roman fountain in the 17th century. During this era, Rome was being reshaped by the Catholic Church through ambitious architectural and artistic projects, meant to visually reinforce its power. This print depicts a fountain adorned with an eagle, symbolizing power, which was likely intended to be viewed by a wide audience. Water, in these public displays, served both practical and symbolic roles. It was a life-sustaining resource accessible to all, yet its control and presentation also highlighted the social hierarchies of the time. Consider the era's strict social stratification and ask yourself who had access to clean water and who was excluded. How did these displays of public works affect the daily lives and perceptions of the Roman people? Through art, societies construct their realities and maintain particular world views. This fountain, frozen in ink, continues to speak to us about the complex interplay of power, access, and representation in the Eternal City.