Aedes Barberinae

Art Historical Context

Step into the opulent world of 17th-century Rome with *Aedes Barberinae*, a magnificent printed book from 1642, collaboratively crafted by scholars Girolamo Teti and Mascardi for the text, and engravers Johann Friedrich Greuter and Cornelis Bloemaert for its stunning illustrations. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (thanks to the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund of 1948), this compact volume measures 14 x 9¼ inches and serves as a lavish celebration of the Barberini Palace, the grand residence of one of Europe's most powerful families during the Baroque era. The book's engraved illustrations vividly capture the palace's architectural splendor, adorned with playful putti (cherubic figures), elegant women, exotic birds, and intricate decorative motifs—hallmarks of Baroque exuberance. These detailed engravings not only document the interiors, gardens, and art collections but also immortalize the Barberini legacy under Pope Urban VIII, showcasing their patronage of the arts amid Rome's cultural golden age. As a printed book, *Aedes Barberinae* democratized access to elite architecture, allowing viewers beyond Rome's elite to marvel at its grandeur through masterful engraving techniques that preserved fine lines and textures. A true gem for lovers of history and design, it bridges art, architecture, and power in one elegant package.

About the Artist

Girolamo Teti|Mascardi|Johann Friedrich Greuter|Cornelis Bloemaert (Italian|Italian|German|Dutch) · | |1590 |1603 – | |1662 |1684

| |German, active Rome, ca. 1590/93–1662|Dutch, Utrecht 1603–?1684 Rome