Havengezicht met toren 1613 - 1695

Nicolas Perelle made this etching of a harbour scene with a tower sometime in the second half of the 17th century. What does it tell us about the world of its making? The picturesque image is framed by a circle, suggesting it might have been part of a series, perhaps collected in a book of city views. The printmaker and publisher Pierre Mariette’s name is also inscribed into the plate. A successful Parisian print dealer, Mariette played a key role in shaping artistic taste and the market for art. The scene itself is a bustling port with figures unloading cargo and a fortified tower looming over the scene. The etching technique allowed Perelle to create fine detail, showing the textures of the stone and the rigging of the ships. It also allows him to circulate these images widely, playing a vital role in shaping ideas about geography and trade. As historians, we can delve into the archives to learn more about Mariette's business and the contemporary market for such imagery. The meaning of this image lies not just in its aesthetic qualities but also in its social and institutional context.