Gezicht op de grote fontein bij de Villa d'Este 1646

Israel Silvestre created this print of the great fountain at the Villa d’Este in Italy. It's etched in ink on paper, and the image shows the fountain as a place for elites to stroll, relax and enjoy the manicured landscape. Silvestre made this print in the 17th century, and it reflects an important shift in how European aristocrats expressed their social status. Instead of commissioning portraits showing off their finery, they were also patrons of architectural projects like the Villa d’Este. As the print suggests, the landscape of such places was just as important as the buildings themselves. The Villa, built by a Cardinal, was intentionally grandiose to reflect his power. Silvestre's print flattens the perspective, diminishing the scale, so we could argue that he critiques this display of wealth. To learn more, consult resources on the Villa d’Este and Italian gardens. You might also look at how the prints market influenced artists like Silvestre.