Sint-Pietersplein en de Sint-Pietersbasiliek te Vaticaanstad Possibly 1637 - 1717

Giovanni Battista Falda created this print of St. Peter's Square and Basilica in Vatican City sometime before his death in 1678. The basilica is the focal point, rendered with precision and grandeur, set against a backdrop of muted pastel tones. Falda uses a bird's-eye perspective to present the square, flanked by semi-circular colonnades. This viewpoint flattens the space, compressing the depth and emphasizing the geometrical layout, while also creating a sense of enclosure. The rigid symmetry and precise detailing reflect an interest in order, balance and the centralized power of the papacy. The square is populated by tiny figures, dwarfed by the architecture. This contrast in scale highlights the individual's place within a larger, divinely ordained structure. Falda’s print offers not just a depiction, but an interpretation of spatial and social hierarchies. The print invites us to consider how architectural forms can embody and communicate power.