Gezicht op Villa Borghese met de Villa Borghese Pinciana te Rome before 1683

Giovanni Battista Falda created this print of the Villa Borghese in Rome in the second half of the 17th century. The print offers not just a depiction but an idealization of the Villa, reflecting the social and cultural values of the Roman elite during the Baroque era. Note how the geometrical layout of the gardens and the architecture impose order on nature, embodying a worldview that valued reason, control, and classical ideals. Falda's work also documents the Borghese family's power and patronage, as they shaped Rome's urban landscape to reflect their status. Consider that the Villa was not just a private residence but also a space for social gatherings, political negotiations, and artistic displays, underscoring the intermingling of art, power, and social life. To fully understand the print, one might explore estate records, architectural plans, and social chronicles of the time to reveal the complex interplay between art, patronage, and social identity.