Gezicht op een laan van een tuin van de paus in de omgeving van de stad Rome 18th century

Basset created this print of a garden lane using etching and possibly other techniques, sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century. It gives us a glimpse into the visual culture of the time, particularly how power and status were communicated through imagery. The print depicts a meticulously designed garden, complete with fountains, sculptures, and neatly trimmed hedges. This garden isn't just a pleasant space; it's a statement. It reflects the wealth, taste, and authority of the Pope, who controlled Rome during this period. It is, in a sense, propaganda. The Catholic Church and the papacy were major institutions. Their social position was often reinforced and protected through such images. The formal, ordered nature of the garden mirrors the hierarchical social structure of the time. To fully understand a piece like this, we need to delve into the history of the papacy, the politics of Rome, and the role of art in shaping public perception. This print is a cultural artifact, and its meaning is deeply tied to the social and institutional context in which it was created.