Vue des Ecuries de Versailles Prise de la Seconde Grille 

Jean-Baptiste Rigaud created this print, "Vue des Ecuries de Versailles Prise de la Seconde Grille." Notice how the starkness of the monochrome medium emphasizes the architectural forms and the bustling activity within the scene. The composition is structured around a clear recession into space. Rigaud uses linear perspective to draw our eyes from the foreground, filled with figures and carriages, towards the distant palace. The buildings and the sky above it are rendered with meticulous detail, highlighting the imposing presence of Versailles. The regularity of the architecture contrasts with the dynamic arrangement of people and vehicles. The print creates a semiotic interplay between order and liveliness, where each element serves as a signifier of the courtly life at Versailles. The formal control and intricate details not only depict the scene but also embody the values of the era. Through its structure and detail, the artwork invites us to consider the codes and the representations of power inherent in the landscape.