The Garden of Versailles 1655 - 1700

Adam Perelle made this print of The Garden of Versailles in the late 17th century, using the technique of etching. The etched line is distinctive. The artist covers a copper plate with a waxy ground, then draws through it with a needle. Acid bites into the exposed metal, creating incised lines that hold ink. This is then printed onto paper. This process allowed Perelle to capture the vastness and meticulous detail of Versailles's gardens. The formal, geometric arrangements of the landscaping, the throngs of people enjoying the space, are carefully described, as is the sheer amount of labour needed to build and maintain a place like Versailles. The print is, in effect, a monument to this labour. It also reflects the social hierarchy of the time, with the aristocracy prominently displayed. By focusing on the making and the context, we can appreciate the complex interplay of artistry, labour, and power that defined the era.