Façade van de binnenplaats van het paleis van kardinaal Francesco Nerli after 1655

Giovanni Battista Falda created this print of the façade of Cardinal Nerli’s palace courtyard using etching. The eye is drawn to the symmetry of the structure, composed of neat horizontals and verticals. This geometric rigidity communicates a sense of order. Classical architectural features, such as arches and pilasters, divide the space into a tripartite composition of three clear tiers. Each level is punctuated by evenly spaced windows and doors. This controlled rhythm of voids and solids emphasizes stability. Light and shadow define the planes and ornamentation. The structure exudes power through its symmetrical composition, which invites us to consider how the architecture of religious and state buildings often uses design to project authority. Although seemingly immutable, the palace is open to reinterpretation, as its design also incorporates new ways of thinking about space, perception and representation.