Gezicht op een fontein 1650 - 1695

Adam Perelle created this print of a fountain, sometime in the late 17th century. During this period, France experienced a flourishing of garden design. This print offers us a window into the aesthetics and social values of the time. The idealized view of nature, carefully arranged and meticulously maintained, reflects the aristocracy’s desire to display control over the natural world, but we might also consider how the print itself functions as a tool of control. The artist’s careful rendering of the scene invites viewers to partake in the fantasy of an ordered, harmonious world. However, the reality for many during this time was one of stark inequality and hardship. While the elite strolled through their manicured gardens, the majority of the population struggled to survive. This print asks us to reflect on the relationship between art, power, and social inequality.