Gezicht op een deel van Lyon met rechts de Seine 1652

Israel Henriet’s etching captures a partial view of Lyon with the Seine to the right. Henriet, born in France in 1590, lived during a time of religious conflict and courtly intrigue. The detailed rendering of Lyon invites us to consider the city not merely as a geographical location but as a place of cultural and political intersection. The presence of the river, a common symbol of the passage of time and the fluidity of life, prompts reflection on the ever-changing nature of cities and societies. The architecture shows us how power is expressed through buildings. What narratives are absent from the record? Who is not represented in this view, and whose stories remain untold? Henriet’s work reminds us that every image is a carefully constructed narrative, shaped by the artist's perspective and the historical currents of their time. It encourages us to look beyond the surface and to question the stories that art tells, as well as those it leaves out.