Plattegrond van de tuin en wijngaard van paus Sixtus V en de tuin van kardinaal Paolo Savelli - Giovanni Battista Falda

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Giovanni Battista Falda, documenting the formal gardens and vineyard of Pope Sixtus V and Cardinal Paolo Savelli in Rome.

This etching by Giovanni Battista Falda provides a detailed cartographic view of the gardens and vineyard belonging to Pope Sixtus V and Cardinal Paolo Savelli. Falda was a specialist in documenting the urban and architectural transformation of seventeenth-century Rome. His work captures the precise layout of the grounds, including the geometric parterres, the arrangement of trees, and the placement of fountains and structures designed by Domenico Fontana.

The composition is presented as a bird's-eye view, a common technique for architectural surveys of the period. It allows the viewer to observe the spatial organisation of the estate, from the formal garden sections near the main buildings to the more expansive, utilitarian vineyard areas. The print includes a numbered key at the bottom, which identifies specific features such as the Palazzo Felice, various fountains, and the remnants of the Baths of Diocletian. This systematic approach to documentation provides a clear record of the site's configuration during the late seventeenth century.

Falda's line work is precise and controlled, characteristic of his training in the Roman school of printmaking. The etching avoids unnecessary ornamentation, focusing instead on the clarity of the plan. The use of hatching and cross-hatching defines the different textures of the garden, distinguishing between cultivated beds, wooded areas, and paved surfaces. This print is a valuable resource for those interested in the history of garden design and the urban development of Rome. It offers a glimpse into the aristocratic lifestyle of the era, where the integration of nature and architecture was a primary concern for the elite. The work remains a primary source for scholars studying the evolution of Roman villas and their surrounding grounds.