Gezicht op de cascades van de tuin van het Château de Marly 18th century

This print of the cascades of the garden of the Château de Marly was made with etching and possibly some engraving. The matrix was probably metal, and the impression has been colored by hand. The choice of printmaking is significant because it allowed for the mass distribution of images. This one shows an idealized vision of leisure, a lifestyle afforded by the labor of many others. Look closely at the details – the figures in their elaborate costumes, the meticulously designed landscape with its cascades – all created through immense manual work, and intended to reflect the power of the aristocracy. Consider the material qualities of the print. Its delicate lines and soft hues create a sense of refinement. But this belies the immense social effort required to produce both the print itself, and what it represents. Paying attention to this helps us to understand the complex relationship between art, labor, and social class.