Gezicht op het kasteel van Annecy met tuinen ervoor 1631 - 1661

Israel Silvestre created this print of the Château d’Annecy with gardens in front of it, using etching. The structure of the building is very symmetrical; balanced, evenly-spaced windows on either side of the central staircase draw the eye. Note how the landscape is organized into horizontal bands. First, the formal gardens, then a strip of figures, followed by a low wall, trees and then the castle itself. The lines of the etching create shapes that define the garden layout. The arrangement of the gardens, populated by tiny figures, offers a glimpse into the structured life of the aristocracy. The way space is organized here reflects the prevailing cultural values of order. Consider the artwork as not just a depiction, but as a structured representation of social order. The symmetry and neatness mirrors the intellectual environment of the time, where clarity and order were highly valued. This etching presents a world meticulously arranged, reflecting ideals of control.