Gezicht op Avignon before 1841

Friedrich Salathé's "Gezicht op Avignon" is an undated print offering a glimpse into early 19th-century France. The image captures Avignon, a city steeped in history and once the seat of papal power. Salathé, working in an era defined by shifting social structures and nascent nationalism, presents Avignon as a subject of serene beauty. Yet, it’s impossible to ignore the power dynamics inherent in such landscapes. Who is afforded the privilege to survey and possess such a view? How does this romanticized image contribute to a sense of national pride? The detailed rendering of Avignon’s architecture alongside the humble depiction of the figures in the foreground quietly speaks to the varied experiences within the nation. This artwork invites us to consider how landscapes both reflect and shape cultural identities and power relations. It prompts us to reflect on who is seen and unseen in the narratives we construct about place and belonging.