Achtergevel van de Villa Borghese Pinciana after 1655

Giovanni Battista Falda created this print of the rear facade of the Villa Borghese Pinciana in Rome, likely in the 1660s or 70s. As a print, it was intended for wide circulation, reaching audiences far beyond the Roman elite who might visit the villa itself. The image performs a social function, displaying the grandeur and taste of the Borghese family. Note the heavy ornamentation, the classical statues, and heraldic shields – all visual markers of status and power. Falda's print also documents the architectural style of Giovanni Vasanzio, who designed the villa. His blend of classicism with more theatrical baroque elements reflected the artistic tastes of the Roman elite at the time. To fully understand this image, we might consult architectural treatises, family records, and other visual representations of the villa. In doing so we appreciate how art and architecture of the era served to reinforce social hierarchies and the power of institutions.