Dwarsdoorsnede van het Palazzo Interiano Pallavicini te Genua 1622

Nicolaes Ryckmans made this print of the Palazzo Interiano Pallavicini in Genoa, Italy, sometime in the 17th century. The detailed cross-section provides a glimpse into the architectural ambition of the Genoese elite. Look at how the image uses precise lines and careful shading to depict the palace's internal structure, highlighting the grand staircases and the arrangement of rooms across multiple floors. This wasn't just about showing off wealth. In the Republic of Genoa, palazzi like these were deeply tied to family prestige and political power. They served as spaces for social gatherings and displays of influence. Consider the social conditions that shaped this kind of architectural design. The desire to impress, to host lavish events, and to project an image of stability and authority. Historians can use estate records, family papers, and civic archives to learn more about the networks of patronage and power that shaped the Palazzo Interiano Pallavicini, and what role it played in the society of its time. By studying buildings like this, we learn about the world they inhabited.