Gezicht op het Stadhuis te Parijs met een stoet ter afkondiging van de vrede 18th century

This print, made by Basset, captures a bird's-eye view of Paris City Hall, likely in the late 1700s. The artist used etching and added colour with a delicate hand. The composition is rigidly structured, using straight lines and symmetrical balance to convey the grandeur of the city. The buildings frame a central courtyard, where we see a procession of people celebrating peace. Notice how Basset uses linear perspective. The converging lines draw our eye towards the City Hall, a symbol of authority. The figures are arranged to create depth and perspective, and the buildings on either side act as orthogonal lines. The colour palette is restrained, with subtle variations in tone adding depth without distracting from the overall design. This reflects the Enlightenment values of order and reason.