Triumphal arch, from 'Éloges et discours sur la triomphante réception du Roy en sa ville de Paris ...' by Jean-Baptiste de Machault 1629

Editor: Here we have Melchior Tavernier's engraving from 1629, depicting a Triumphal Arch. It's meticulously detailed, and almost feels like a stage set for a historical drama. I'm curious, what socio-political narratives do you see embedded in this triumphal arch? Curator: That's a fantastic question! Triumphal arches, historically, were potent symbols of power and dominance. Tavernier’s engraving, made for King Louis XIII’s celebratory procession into Paris, wasn’t merely about aesthetic glorification. It functioned as propaganda, solidifying the monarchy’s authority in a city often resistant to royal control. Consider how classical architectural elements are employed; do you see any visual cues to understand the values the monarchy is trying to project? Editor: Definitely the Roman-style columns and the allegorical figures. Is it meant to link the French monarchy to the Roman Empire, projecting an image of strength and permanence? Curator: Precisely. And what about the imagery in the panels adorning the arch? Note the inclusion of Justice and Religion, common figures within royal iconography. In that sense, the arch isn’t simply about military triumph. It's projecting Louis XIII as a divinely ordained ruler, entrusted with the welfare of his people. It also excludes any counter-narratives or alternative perspectives of those excluded from such celebrations. Do you find it compelling? Editor: It’s fascinating how carefully crafted it is to convey such a specific message. You realize how much power images held in shaping public opinion. Looking at it from today, I'm now thinking who are the people that aren't included or excluded from this image. Thanks for the new perspective. Curator: It shows how much a picture is worth a thousand stories that sometimes needs to be retold, not from one side but all angles, so our understanding of history is more nuanced.