Dieppe havn (Le port de Dieppe) 1773 - 1779

This print, titled "Dieppe havn (Le port de Dieppe)," was made in 1776, it is an etching and it's creator remains anonymous. The image offers a seemingly straightforward depiction of the bustling port of Dieppe, France. But what does it mean to represent a port, and why was it "drawn for the King?" The inscription suggests a connection to the French monarchy and the administration of its maritime resources. The print can be seen as a tool to visualize and document the infrastructure, economy, and the activities of the harbor. By controlling the narrative around sites of trade like this, the monarchy was trying to reinforce its authority and project an image of efficiency and control. Delving deeper into the archives, such as maritime records and royal inventories, can reveal the print's role in the broader socio-economic landscape of 18th-century France. Art objects are historical documents.