Plattegrond van het paleis van kardinaal Francesco Nerli after 1655

Giovanni Battista Falda created this floor plan of Cardinal Francesco Nerli’s palace using ink on paper in the late 17th century. The printmaking process would have begun with a carefully prepared metal plate, likely copper. Using specialized tools, the artist engraved lines into the plate’s surface. These lines held the ink, which was then transferred to paper under great pressure, resulting in the print you see here. Consider the labor involved: the initial architectural design, the engraver’s skill in translating that design, and the press operator’s work to produce each print. This wasn’t just art; it was a record of power, a celebration of Cardinal Nerli’s status made possible through the combined efforts of many hands. Looking at this print, we’re reminded that even seemingly straightforward images carry complex stories of making, labor, and social context. This plan represents the intersection of craft, design, and materiality.