Trinità dei Monti te Rome 1669 - 1670

Giovanni Battista Falda created this print of the Trinità dei Monti in Rome sometime during his short life in the mid-17th century. Falda was known for his detailed engravings of Roman architecture and urban spaces, and his work offers insight into the city's evolving identity during the Baroque period. This print depicts not just the church but the social life around it, with figures ascending the steps, suggesting the church was a place of gathering as much as worship. Falda’s choice to include these figures is interesting, especially during a time of rigid social hierarchies, as it reflects the increasing visibility and perhaps importance of the common person. The architectural precision, typical of Falda, intersects here with scenes of everyday life, blurring the lines between the grandeur of religious institutions and the pulse of the city. Ultimately, Falda’s engraving does more than just represent a building; it captures a moment in Rome's history, revealing the complex interplay between power, religion, and the lives of its inhabitants.