Gezicht op het paleis te Versailles 1715

This is a print of the Palace of Versailles, made by Pierre Menant using engraving, a printmaking technique. The meticulousness of engraving really suits the subject. Look closely and you'll see a network of fine lines worked into the surface of the metal printing plate with a tool called a burin. The ink settles into these lines, and is then transferred to the paper when printed. It is very labor intensive work and creates an extraordinary amount of detail. Menant has used this technique to capture the architecture and expanse of the palace. Think of what Versailles symbolized: the consolidation of absolute power by the French monarchy. Engravings like this one played a crucial role, communicating royal prestige far and wide. They were the social media of their day, shaping perceptions and reinforcing the monarchy’s image. So, next time you come across a print, remember it’s not just an image. It’s a window into the labor, politics, and social structures of the past.