Villa Aldobrandini te Frascati 1699

This print of the Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati, was made by Alessandro Specchi, a Roman engraver who died in 1729. It showcases the capabilities of intaglio printmaking, a process where an image is incised into a metal plate, in this instance, copper. Look closely and you can see how Specchi used fine lines to build up tone and texture, describing the stone facade of the villa. The very act of engraving – the physical labor of cutting lines into copper – mirrors the labor involved in constructing the Villa itself. We can infer that the making of this imposing architectural statement involved artisans and laborers, whose efforts enabled the luxurious lifestyle of the elite. The print itself also speaks to a culture of consumption, indicating a market for images that celebrated wealth, power and the built environment. By focusing on Specchi's choices of material and the processes involved in his work, we can understand this image not just as a picture, but as a social document deeply embedded in its time.