Fontana di Piazza d'Aracoeli te Rome 1653 - 1691

This is Giovanni Battista Falda's etching of the Fontana di Piazza d'Aracoeli in Rome, capturing a moment in the city's history. Falda, active in the 17th century, documented Roman architecture and life during a period of significant urban development, and his work offers insights into the social fabric of the time. The fountain, prominently displayed, becomes a stage upon which class distinctions are visible; notice the figures with horses who stand to the side in comparison to the figure sitting beside the fountain on the ground. How does Falda use perspective to tell a story about the politics of space? By documenting public spaces, Falda invites us to consider the intersection of power, access, and representation. Through Falda's eyes, we contemplate the hierarchies embedded in the urban landscape and how individual experiences are shaped by the built environment.