Gezicht vanaf de Rijn op Lyon 1631 - 1691

Here we see "View of Lyon from the Rhine" by Israel Silvestre, an etching created sometime in the 17th century. Silvestre, who was draughtsman to the King, captures Lyon during a period marked by significant political and cultural shifts, as France consolidated its power under the monarchy. The inscription below the image speaks of the rivers embracing, a metaphor for unity and continuity. Silvestre's choice to depict Lyon from the Rhine does more than offer a geographical perspective. It's a deliberate construction of identity, emphasizing the city's connection to broader European networks of trade and power. Note the detailed rendering of the city's architecture versus the softer depiction of the natural landscape. This mirrors the era's focus on human achievement and the assertion of control over the environment. Silvestre’s Lyon invites us to consider how cities, like people, acquire and perform their identities. He prompts us to reflect on the narratives we construct about ourselves, our histories, and our collective future.