Palazzo Vecchio en de Dom van Florence Possibly 1631 - 1717

Curator: This is "Palazzo Vecchio en de Dom van Florence", an etching on paper attributed to Israel Silvestre, created sometime between 1631 and 1717. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It has such a delicately rendered surface. There’s a placid, almost dreamy quality about it; like looking back into an idealised past. Curator: Notice how Silvestre orchestrates the composition: framing the vista through carefully positioned buildings. The interplay of light and shadow creates depth, guiding the viewer’s eye towards the Duomo’s dome—the focal point. Editor: The viewpoint is fascinating; it presents a specific, controlled perspective of power. Renaissance Florence wasn’t merely about aesthetic beauty, but civic authority and patriarchal dominion—a society deeply entrenched in rigid hierarchies. The layout highlights the control and ordering of public spaces that certainly were not accessible for every gender, class, or race during the time. Curator: While it is indeed interesting to consider broader histories here, it's also interesting how the formal design of the space plays out, technically, in terms of the two and three-dimensional perspectives. Editor: Yes, and to push back on your view, thinking critically through the perspective allows one to ask which Florentines would experience such harmony in civic spaces. To appreciate this scene, is also to recognise who has been excluded from this vision of prosperity. This cityscape perpetuates power imbalances even within what would otherwise be considered a picturesque landscape scene. Curator: Perhaps. For me, it primarily speaks to a controlled balance—a harmony between architectural forms and atmospheric conditions, captured through skilled engraving. The meticulous detail and controlled perspective create an almost architectural study on paper. Editor: I see the masterful craft, but am drawn to the questions about the values the print seemingly praises through that mastery. What exactly are we enshrining by studying such artwork? Curator: A worthy consideration indeed. Thanks for your reflections. Editor: Likewise.