Palazzo Farnese, Rome, Italy  Apr 1, 2024

Today"s image shows a trompe l"oeil, or optical illusion, by French street artist JR on Palazzo Farnese in Rome. This trick of the eye makes it look like this Renaissance palace was opened, revealing the building"s past. The palace was originally commissioned by the Farnese family in 1517, but its grandeur expanded under the patronage of Pope Paul III, who ascended to the papacy in 1534. Designed by renowned architects such as Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, Michelangelo, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola and Giacomo della Porta, the palace embodies the pinnacle of Italian Renaissance architecture. Owned by the Italian Republic, it serves as the French embassy in Italy, a testament to its enduring cultural and historical significance.

© Fabrizio Troiani/Alamy

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