Gezicht op het kasteel van Gaillon 1631 - 1661

Israel Silvestre created this print of the Château de Gaillon using etching, a technique that lends itself to the intricate details of the architecture and landscape. Silvestre was one of a number of artists who found royal patronage, and he was particularly known for his images of castles. What we see here isn’t just a building, but a symbol of power and status during a period of strict social hierarchies. Consider the figures in the foreground, dwarfed by the sheer scale of the castle. Are they strolling for leisure or are they functionaries working to maintain the property? Consider too the class dynamics implicit in the image. Who gets to enjoy this view? Who is excluded? Silvestre’s print offers a glimpse into a world defined by privilege and exclusion, prompting us to reflect on the legacies of power that continue to shape our own world.