Gezicht op Rome vanaf de Monte Vaticano 1643 - 1667

Israel Silvestre made this print of Rome from Monte Vaticano some time in the mid-17th century. It gives us a bird's-eye view of the city from one of its famous hills. But what kind of view is it offering? Note how St. Peter's Basilica looms large, dominating the composition. Silvestre made this print, in France, for a French audience at a time when the Catholic Church was trying to reassert its authority after the Protestant Reformation. The image is not just a neutral record. It subtly reinforces the idea of Rome as the center of the Catholic world, and the Pope as its leader. Prints like these played a crucial role in shaping how people saw the world, especially before photography. As historians, we can dig deeper by looking at other prints and documents from this period. By understanding the social and religious context, we can better understand the persuasive power of images like this one.