Vijvers en fonteinen in de tuin van de Villa d'Este te Tivoli Possibly 1670 - 1717

This is Pieter Schenk’s print of the pools and fountains at the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, made around the turn of the 18th century. It provides a bird’s-eye view of the villa's formal gardens, which were famous throughout Europe for their elaborate water features. The gardens' design emphasizes human control over nature, a concept embraced by the elite class of the time and emblematic of the period's social hierarchy. Prints like this played a crucial role. They circulated images of exclusive spaces, creating both a sense of aspiration and a reinforcement of class distinctions. Note how the print flattens the space and emphasizes symmetry. The Villa d'Este was created in a period where the idea of the “garden” as a display of power was in vogue among the European elite. Art historians examine such imagery alongside estate records, architectural plans, and social commentary to better understand the complex interplay of art, power, and social life in this period. This allows a much deeper understanding of both the artwork and its cultural moment.