Machine van Marly 1702 - 1703

Jacobus Deur created this print of the Machine de Marly, a hydraulic pump that provided water to the Palace of Versailles, in the 17th century. The image captures not just a feat of engineering but also the socio-political context of Louis XIV's France. The Machine de Marly symbolizes the King's ambition to dominate nature, reflecting his absolutist rule over France. Versailles itself was used to control the aristocracy through social display and ritual, and so this machine became a symbol of royal power. The print, with its detailed depiction, serves as both a record and a celebration of this power. To fully grasp its meaning, consider the economic resources poured into its construction, the social implications of supplying water to an elite, and the role of art in glorifying the monarchy. Research into royal archives and engineering treatises would shed further light on this artwork. Its interpretation lies in understanding its place within the social and institutional structures of its time.