Obelisk op het Sint-Pietersplein 1651

Giovanni Maggi created this print of the obelisk in St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, sometime between 1586 and 1618. This print presents us with a fascinating intersection of ancient power, religious authority, and early modern spectacle. Obelisks, originally Egyptian monuments, became symbols of Roman imperial power when emperors like Augustus brought them to Rome. The placement of this obelisk in St. Peter's Square by Pope Sixtus V in 1586 was a performative act. It asserted the Catholic Church's dominance, effectively Christianizing a pagan symbol by placing a cross on top. Notice how the surrounding square is carefully designed to frame and monumentalize this potent symbol, a clear message about the Church's enduring power. To understand the print fully, we can consult Vatican archives to learn more about the political climate at the time, consider the engineering challenges of moving the obelisk, and analyze other contemporary depictions of Rome. Art history allows us to decode these layers of meaning.