Gezicht op het paleis en de tuin van kardinaal Paolo Savelli before 1683

This is Giovanni Battista Falda’s etched depiction of Cardinal Paolo Savelli’s palace and garden, made in the late 17th century. Falda captures not just the architecture, but a lifestyle steeped in power and privilege. Consider the historical context: the Catholic Church was a major political and cultural force, and cardinals like Savelli wielded immense influence. This image isn't merely a landscape, it's a carefully constructed representation of authority. The manicured gardens, the imposing palace – all speak to the Cardinal's status. Note how the garden becomes an extension of the palace, blurring lines between nature and control. Even the figures strolling through the grounds seem to be performing for the viewer, aware of their place in this hierarchy. How do such images contribute to the construction of identity and power? Falda's print invites us to reflect on the relationship between aesthetics, authority, and the ways in which landscapes can be both expressions and instruments of power.