Steekspel bij de intocht van koningin Isabella van Beieren in Parijs 1729 - 1733

Dominique Sornique made this print, "Steekspel bij de intocht van koningin Isabella van Beieren in Parijs," sometime in the 18th century. It commemorates a royal visit that had occurred nearly four hundred years earlier. This image presents a re-imagining of the past, filtered through the lens of Sornique's own time. Consider the architecture in the background, which blends medieval and baroque elements. The jousting match itself, a spectacle of chivalry and pageantry, is presented as a form of public theater, with spectators gazing from an ornate viewing stand. Prints like this served a crucial function. They shaped historical memory and legitimized the ruling class. We might ask: what was the political climate in 18th-century France? What purpose did it serve to evoke this particular moment in history? Answers can be sought through period documents, literature, and art criticism. By understanding the social and institutional contexts, we can better grasp the complex layers of meaning embedded in this image.