Gezicht op de kerk van de abdij van Port-Royal du Saint-Sacrement te Parijs 1655

Matthäus Merian the Younger created this print of the Church of the Abbey of Port-Royal du Saint-Sacrement in Paris, sometime in the mid-17th century. The print depicts a tranquil scene of religious life but the Abbey was far from peaceful, becoming a center of Jansenism in France. Note how the print emphasizes the Abbey's physical presence and its position within the city. This was a time of religious and political upheaval in France and the Abbey and its associated thinkers challenged established norms. Looking at the print today, it’s easy to forget the extent to which religious institutions shaped intellectual and political life in the early modern period. This image invites us to consider the complex interplay of religion, politics, and culture in 17th-century France. Examining historical documents, theological debates, and the biographies of key figures like Blaise Pascal can give us a richer appreciation of the Abbey’s significance. Ultimately, this print reminds us that art is always embedded in a particular social and institutional context.