View of the Church of Madonna del Rosario on Monte Mario 1741 - 1748

Paolo Anesi created this print, View of the Church of Madonna del Rosario on Monte Mario, in the 18th century, using engraving. This piece invites us to consider the relationship between religious institutions and their place within the broader social and environmental landscape. In Anesi’s time, the church was central to community identity, offering a sense of belonging, while also reinforcing hierarchical structures. Here, the church is set atop a hill, a clear visual signifier of its elevated status, both physically and spiritually, above the common people depicted walking towards it. Consider, too, how gender and class dynamics might play out in this setting; women attending mass, perhaps seeking solace or participating in communal rituals; the working class, seeking blessings or a moment of peace from their daily labors. This engraving prompts us to reflect on the complex interplay between power, faith, and everyday life in 18th-century Italy. It is a subtle reminder of the ever-present influence of the church on personal and communal identity.