Lateral View of Villa Borghese in Rome 1670

Curator: Melchior Küsel's "Lateral View of Villa Borghese in Rome" shows us the villa's facade in fine detail. It's a print, around 9x8 inches. What strikes you first? Editor: The sheer weight of that wall on the left! It’s stark, almost brutally plain compared to the ornate villa. It makes me feel a little claustrophobic. Curator: Yes, the contrast is quite pronounced. Küsel was likely emphasizing the Borghese family's power and the almost theatrical separation of their world from the public sphere. Editor: The composition is so clever. He's almost showing off how wealthy and separate they were. You see the fine detail, but you're also kept at arm's length. Curator: It is an interesting commentary on the function of the villa itself, really, and how it played a part in projecting power. Editor: Exactly. It's beautiful, yes, but it's beauty with a purpose. That wall screams, "Stay out!" Curator: So, both the artistry and the socio-political context give the artwork its character. Editor: I wouldn't have thought to analyze it that way, but now I see that separation so clearly. Thanks for the insight!