Landschap met antieke tempel 1613 - 1695

Nicolas Perelle created this landscape with an antique temple in France in the 17th century, using etching. Perelle specialized in landscapes and architectural scenes. They reflected a growing interest among the French elite in classical antiquity, and this print would have appealed to collectors interested in both art and history. In this image we see a temple from antiquity, now crumbling slightly and peopled by contemporary figures. How would it be viewed at the time, in terms of contemporary culture? Well, in the 17th century, the French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture was hugely influential, promoting classical ideals and the idea of ‘grand manner’ painting. Perelle’s etching reflects those values, but also makes them more accessible to a wider audience through the medium of print. The image shows us how artistic taste was shaped by institutions and social values. Art historians can consult period documents, academy records, and collections inventories to more fully understand the image.