Zonnewijzer van het Palais-Royal 1821 - 1822

"Zonnewijzer van het Palais-Royal," or "Sundial of the Palais-Royal," was created by Adrien Victor Auger in the early 19th century as part of the series "Tableaux de Paris." It gives us a glimpse into Parisian society during the Restoration period. The print depicts a bustling scene in the gardens of the Palais-Royal, a place that was then a hub of social activity. Auger captures the complexities of class, gender, and identity of the time through the varied characters in the park. We see gentlemen in top hats, a fashionably dressed woman, and street urchins, each representing a different facet of Parisian life. The sundial itself, and the firing of the cannon, becomes a focal point around which these social interactions play out. Auger subtly critiques the social norms and hierarchies of his time. The emotional tenor of the scene is palpable, with the artist capturing the anxiety and excitement of a society in transition. The artist develops a narrative that invites us to reflect on the ever changing dynamics of social status.