Aurora 1692 - 1739

This is Louis Desplaces' engraving of 'Aurora', made in the early 18th century. It depicts a marble statue in the Gardens of Versailles, sculpted by Gaspar de Marcy. Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, is depicted as an idealised female figure, complete with a star-tipped staff. Made during the reign of Louis XIV, the statue, and by extension this print, reflect the cultural and political climate of absolutist France. The gardens of Versailles were more than just a space of leisure, they were a carefully constructed stage for the display of royal power and the social hierarchy, where classical themes were often deployed to legitimise the king’s authority. For more on this artwork, one might study the history of the Palace of Versailles as a political institution and consider the role of classical imagery in the visual culture of the French monarchy. Art provides a window into understanding past power structures and social values.