Louis Capet (Lodewijk XVI) arriveert in Parijs, 25 juni 1791 1791 - 1798

Pierre Gabriel Berthault created this print, "Louis Capet Arrives in Paris, June 25, 1791," using engraving techniques. Notice how the composition is structured around linear perspective, drawing our eyes toward the horizon where the crowd and landscape converge. Berthault employs a monochromatic palette, relying on subtle gradations of light and shadow to define forms and textures. The artist uses line to construct the scene, creating a sense of depth and distance. The linear arrangement of figures and architecture establishes a clear spatial order, a structure through which the viewer is guided. But it is the crowd, a sea of faces, that truly captures the essence of this pivotal moment. This challenges the fixed meanings of royalty and power. The print invites us to consider the dynamic interplay between the individual and the collective, as the formal qualities of line, space, and composition create meaning.