Gezicht op de hospitaalkerk Saint-Louis buiten Parijs 1655

This is Matthäus Merian the Younger’s “View of the hospital church Saint-Louis outside Paris,” an undated print now held in the Rijksmuseum. At first glance, it seems like a simple, topographical depiction of a church. Yet, this pastoral scene was produced during a period of intense religious and political conflict in France. The Saint-Louis hospital was established to care for those afflicted by the plague, a recurring crisis that had a profound impact on European society. The artist’s choice to depict the hospital church from a distance, set against the backdrop of a serene, idealized landscape, speaks volumes. This image offers a window into the social and institutional history of 17th-century France. To fully understand the print's significance, historians consult a range of sources, from medical records to theological texts. In doing so, we can better appreciate how art reflects and shapes our understanding of the past.