Gezicht op de Horse Guards Parade te Londen 1745 - 1775

Jean-François Daumont created this print of Horse Guards Parade in London in the late 18th century. It offers us a glimpse into the urban landscape of the time and the social dynamics that unfolded within it. This carefully composed image uses visual codes to convey the grandeur of the British state. Notice the architecture of the government buildings, the Horse Guards themselves, and the well-dressed figures leisurely populating the scene. This work invites reflection on the structures of power and class in 18th-century Britain. The geography of London, as a center of political and economic power, certainly influenced the artist’s perspective. What social classes are represented here, and how? What is the relationship between those classes and the state? The art historian explores such questions through archival research, including documents and publications from the period, to contextualize the artwork within its historical and institutional framework. Understanding the social conditions of art is key to unlocking its full significance.