Town with a church across a river 1836 - 1895

Tancrède Abraham created this print of a ‘Town with a church across a river’ in the 19th century. Abraham was part of a wave of artists who turned to printmaking as a way to broaden the appeal of their art. This image is of a French townscape, defined by its prominent church. The church dominates the composition, reflecting the central role of religion and the church in 19th-century French society. During this period, the Catholic Church exerted considerable influence over social and political life. This print reflects a nostalgic yearning for the traditional social structures of rural France. Historians can draw on a range of sources, from parish records to political pamphlets to better understand the social contexts that shaped this image. By understanding those contexts we can appreciate the nuances of the picture’s message, seeing it as more than just a pretty view.