Chiesa di Santa Bibiana te Rome 1669 - 1670

Giovanni Battista Falda created this print of the Chiesa di Santa Bibiana in Rome, sometime between 1643 and 1678. Falda was a northern Italian artist, known for his printmaking in Rome. During Falda's time, Rome was undergoing significant urban and architectural transformations led by powerful families and the Catholic Church. In the print, the church is depicted with an open facade, inviting the viewer into the sacred space. This openness can be seen as a reflection of the Church's attempt to engage with the public and reassert its influence during the Counter-Reformation. In the foreground, small figures populate the scene, emphasizing the church's role as a focal point for the community. This reflects the social fabric of the time, where the Church played a central role in people's lives. Falda captures not just a building, but a dynamic intersection of faith, power, and community, all interwoven in the urban landscape of Rome.