Veduta di Tutta la Basilica Vaticana (...) from: Il Nuovo Teatro delle Fabbriche, et Edificii, in Prospettiva di Rome Moderna (...) 1665 - 1669

Curator: Take a look at this print, created between 1665 and 1669 by Giovanni Battista Falda. It's entitled "Veduta di Tutta la Basilica Vaticana," a view of the entire Vatican Basilica, published as part of a series of prints documenting modern Roman architecture. Editor: My first thought is how commanding this space is! There’s an almost theatrical drama in the perspective and the grand sweep of the colonnade, creating such a sense of awe and power. Curator: Absolutely. The baroque style really emphasizes this. What you're seeing is the result of centuries of architectural and political ambition focused on the Vatican. Falda documented how these spaces functioned within the context of papal authority. It showcased Rome as a renewed center of power. Editor: Visually, that dome—the cupola— really grabs the eye. It's not just a part of the architecture, it almost feels like a character watching over the entire scene, representing the Church itself. And all those figures populating the square? Curator: Well, these weren't photographs, of course, but architectural prints served as ways to communicate the success of these large building programs across Europe, displaying Rome as this must-see, central, artistic location. Consider how Bernini's colonnade physically embraces those entering. The church becomes this symbol of welcome but also unquestionable authority. Editor: You are so right about the feeling of welcome that turns to a kind of expectation to feel reverence! I’m drawn to how the architecture mimics gestures. That open colonnade reminds me of outstretched arms, drawing the viewer inward and directing them to the basilica’s imposing facade. It suggests not just physical movement, but perhaps spiritual or ideological alignment as well. Curator: Exactly! These weren't just views, they shaped public perceptions of religious and political power in Rome. These images carried real weight. Editor: It is amazing to see how places can turn into carriers of cultural memory. Falda gives us a beautiful glimpse into the Vatican Basilica's ability to communicate and shape faith and social identity. Curator: Seeing the image, we can think about how buildings function beyond their aesthetic attributes and influence social patterns, and how political and spiritual narratives live on through stone, and through art.