Gezicht op Rome, 1726 1726

This anonymous etching from 1726 gives us a bird’s eye view of Rome. It comes to us from a time when the city was a major destination for the European Grand Tour. The image is full of visual codes. The city itself, dominated by the dome of St. Peter’s, is presented as a site of classical learning and religious authority. Yet, the foreground is filled with working people and animals. This contrast reminds us that Rome was not just a museum or a pilgrimage site. It was a living, breathing city with its own social hierarchies and economic realities. Historical sources from the period, travelogues, and urban planning documents can tell us a lot about the social conditions that shaped Rome. They shed light on how the city balanced its role as a center of cultural heritage with the needs of its inhabitants. This etching isn’t just a picture. It's a historical document, inviting us to consider Rome's complex identity.