Raccolta Delle Più Belle Veduta Antiche, E Moderne Di Roma... 1786

Giuseppe Vasi, an Italian printmaker and architect, created this engraving, Raccolta Delle Più Belle Veduta Antiche, E Moderne Di Roma, some time in the 18th century. Vasi was known for his detailed vedute, or views, of Rome, a city that was both ancient and modern. This print captures the grandeur of the Palazzo Colonna, a symbol of aristocratic power. Yet, it also subtly hints at the social stratification of the era, with the wealthy conveyed in ornate carriages, while commoners walk on foot. The architecture itself embodies a tension between classical ideals and Baroque exuberance, mirroring the complex cultural dynamics of 18th-century Rome. Vasi's work invites us to reflect on how urban spaces can both celebrate and conceal the realities of power, class, and daily life. What might it have been like to stroll through this piazza? How did it feel to know your place in the social hierarchy, as visibly displayed by the architecture and the movement of people within it?