Opstand van de façade aan de straatzijde van het Palazzo Lercari-Parodi te Genua 1622

This is Nicolaes Ryckman's drawing of the facade of the Palazzo Lercari-Parodi in Genoa. The identities of the people who built and lived in these palazzos are inextricably linked to the history of Genoa, where powerful families shaped the city’s political and economic landscape. The architecture of the Palazzo, with its imposing facade and grandiose design, reflects the power and prestige of its inhabitants. The meticulous details captured by Ryckmans, speak to the values of the society that commissioned and enjoyed it. The palace becomes a stage upon which social hierarchies are not only maintained but performed. This drawing not only documents a physical structure, but also the values, power structures, and cultural aspirations of its time.