The Menagerie, Versailles (Small Plate) (Versailles, la Menagerie (petite planche)) 1924

"The Menagerie, Versailles (Small Plate)" is an etching by Andre Dunoyer de Segonzac. The menagerie at Versailles was built in the 17th century, during a time when the display of exotic animals was a sign of wealth and power for the aristocracy. Segonzac renders an almost ghostly image, seemingly devoid of the noise, the stench, and the crowds that would have characterized the site in its heyday. The print captures a sense of melancholy, hinting at themes of lost grandeur. The lack of human presence directs our attention to the architecture; these empty structures prompt reflection on human intervention in nature and the ephemeral nature of human constructs. Segonzac experienced the horrors of World War I firsthand, and his work often conveys a sense of disillusionment and a deep appreciation for the simple beauty of nature. The stark, delicate lines invite us to contemplate themes of memory, history, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world.