Raphael's Loggia in the Vatican (Le loggie di Rafaele nel Vaticano), Part 1 1772 - 1777

Curator: Giovanni Ottaviani’s print, "Raphael's Loggia in the Vatican," captures more than just architectural detail. It embodies power structures within the Vatican. Editor: Yes, the print is very precise in its rendering of the Loggia. What statements do you see in its architectural details? Curator: Note how Ottaviani meticulously documented Raphael’s designs. He was effectively reinforcing a visual language of papal authority. The Loggia served as a stage for papal appearances, reinforcing hierarchical social order. How might access to this space reflect power dynamics of the time? Editor: So, this image is not simply about aesthetics. Curator: Exactly. It's about how architecture was and still can be used to communicate authority and control. Editor: I never considered how architectural prints could function as powerful political statements. Thanks!