View in the Garden of Cardinal Cesi at Rome 1681

Curator: This is Melchior Küsel’s “View in the Garden of Cardinal Cesi at Rome,” an etching that captures a serene, if somewhat artificial, vision of leisure. Editor: It's interesting how the rigid geometry of the garden contrasts with the unruly clouds. It really speaks to the control and aspirations of the Cardinal. Curator: Exactly, the etching, being a readily reproducible medium, allowed for the dissemination of Cesi’s power and refined tastes. Etchings like this were commodities that fueled class aspiration. Editor: Yes, it’s a window into the socio-political dynamics of the time. A Cardinal flaunting his wealth, but also projecting an image of cultivated power through labor. Curator: And consider the labor involved in creating such a garden. The gardeners, the artists who designed the sculptures, all contributing to this constructed vision. Editor: Right. A perfect illustration of how power manifests through not only wealth but also through the control and manipulation of landscape and labor. Curator: These materials help us understand how Cardinal Cesi wanted to be seen. Editor: A potent image. I'll never look at another garden the same way.