Zijaanzicht van de zuidkant van de kerk en het klooster van San Lorenzo en de koninklijke appartementen 1665 - 1706

Here we see an etching by Jeremias Falck, a birds eye view of the south side of the church and monastery of San Lorenzo and the royal apartments. Falck, who was born in Poland, lived during a period of intense religious and political conflict in Europe, and his work frequently documented the architectural grandeur associated with power. Completed during the Baroque era, the print reflects the period’s tendency towards elaborate grandeur. Its imposing scale and symmetrical design broadcasts a sense of absolute control. More than that though, this building isn’t just a monastery, it's also a royal residence. Think about that juxtaposition, and the history of the Catholic Church. Power, religion, wealth, all wrapped into one big statement. Falck’s rendering emphasizes the building’s imposing facade, which communicates the intertwined nature of spiritual authority and monarchical power during this period. The etching not only captures the physical presence of the monastery, but also hints at the complex negotiations of power that defined the era.