Architectural detail of an elaborate cornice, seen from below 1680 - 1710

Carlo Antonio Buffagnotti created this detailed rendering of an elaborate cornice using engraving. Though undated, Buffagnotti was active in the late 17th century. The print offers us a glimpse into the cultural values of Baroque-era Europe, where architectural grandeur symbolized power and divine order. Spaces like those Buffagnotti depicted were designed to impress, reinforce social hierarchies, and inspire awe. Cornices, as highly visible architectural features, were often ornamented to reflect wealth, status, and the cultural values of the patrons. Buffagnotti, as an engraver, played a role in disseminating these images. His work helped spread architectural styles and decorative motifs. How might the circulation of these images have influenced architectural tastes and cultural values beyond the elite circles who inhabited these spaces? Consider the emotional impact of these spaces, designed to elicit reverence and submission, reflecting the socio-political dynamics of the time.