Façade van Palazzo Vidoni Caffarelli after 1655

This detailed facade of the Palazzo Vidoni Caffarelli was etched by Giovanni Battista Falda in the late 17th century. We see the embodiment of classical architectural principles, with its symmetrical structure, repetitive window patterns, and the stoic presence of columns. Consider these columns. They are not merely structural; they are echoes of ancient temples, a direct lineage to the power and authority of antiquity. Like the figures in a Renaissance painting borrowing poses from classical sculpture, the column here serves as a cultural bridge, evoking a sense of timelessness. This design resurfaces across Europe, from grand palaces to public buildings, each time subtly transformed yet retaining its symbolic link to the past. This visual motif speaks to our collective memory, a yearning for stability. It's as if, through each iteration, we are subconsciously attempting to anchor ourselves to a glorious past, seeking order in the chaos of the present.