Stadspoort in Parijs 1675 - 1711

This engraving, ‘Stadspoort in Parijs’ (City Gate in Paris), shows us an anonymous artist’s view of the Porta Congressus on the river Seine. We don't know when it was made. The image presents a bustling scene, filled with boats and figures that suggests the importance of the river for commerce and transport. The gate itself, a grand structure with architectural embellishments, signifies the power and authority of the city. Made for the Institution, it was also referred to as the ‘Tegelpoort’ and suggests an event held there at the time. This image isn’t just a depiction of a place; it’s a window into the social, cultural, and institutional history of Paris. To fully understand the image, we might look at the historical records of Paris, the role of the Seine in the city’s economy, and the political significance of urban architecture. Art is always made in a context, and the job of the art historian is to uncover that context.