Poort met wapenschild 1772 - 1779

Jean Pelletier created this print of a gateway with a coat of arms, likely in France, around the mid-18th century. It presents an architectural elevation, typical of the period's focus on rational design and classical ideals. The symmetrical composition, Doric columns, and heraldic shield above the gate all speak to the values of order and hierarchy within the French aristocracy of the time. The print's function is also revealing. Architectural drawings like this one circulated among elites, embodying the social and economic power of those who could commission such refined structures. The design may also reflect the emerging role of the architect as a professional, rather than simply a master builder. Institutions like the Académie Royale d'Architecture were standardizing architectural training and taste, shaping the built environment to reflect official values. To understand this image further, one might research the specific heraldry of the shield, study architectural pattern books, and look into the records of the Académie Royale d'Architecture. These can reveal the social and institutional context that shaped the artwork.