Gezicht op het paleis van kardinaal Caraffa aan de kust te Napels c. 1700 - 1710

This is an anonymous etching showing the Palace of Cardinal Caraffa on the coast of Naples. Seventeenth-century Naples was marked by stark social contrasts. The opulence of the palace, a symbol of Caraffa's power as a high-ranking member of the Catholic Church, stands in sharp contrast to the ordinary people bustling along the coast. The image invites us to consider the economic disparities of the time. While the cardinal lived in luxury, much of the population grappled with poverty. The ships, which were crucial for trade and transport, also hint at Naples's role in broader colonial and mercantile networks and the attendant exploitation of labor. This etching invites reflection on the human cost of power and prosperity. It reminds us that behind every grand facade lies a complex web of human stories, often marked by inequality and struggle.