Gezicht op de Pont Royal over de rivier de Seine te Parijs, gezien richting de Pont Neuf 18th century

Editor: This is "View of the Pont Royal over the Seine in Paris, looking towards the Pont Neuf," an 18th-century print from an anonymous artist. It feels like a scene carefully staged, but the human activity gives it a certain liveliness. What do you see in this piece, beyond the surface beauty? Curator: This cityscape is not just a pretty picture; it's a document of power and social hierarchy. Think about the perspective - elevated, controlled. Who gets to have this view? Whose stories are missing from this carefully constructed scene? Editor: You mean the perspective might be communicating something about class? Curator: Precisely. Notice the grand buildings versus the smaller boats on the Seine. Who benefits from the commerce? Consider also how waterways throughout the 18th century, whether rivers or canals, represent both vital resources for and avenues of control over labour, produce, people, and raw materials, and more specifically for the expansionist ambitions of European colonial powers. Are there more stories here than initially meet the eye? Editor: Yes, I never considered it that way. The bridge now feels like a symbol, both connecting and dividing different social spheres. It's made me think about whose perspective is valued in art. Curator: Exactly. This image allows us to examine the politics inherent in representation and raises questions about visibility and agency, and our role as viewers in perpetuating certain power dynamics. I am very glad we explored the themes around representation.