Plattegrond van de Grote Trianon met tuinen 1685 - 1712

This is a detailed floor plan of the Grand Trianon palace and gardens, an engraving that likely dates to the late 17th or early 18th century in France. The print offers insights into the world of elite leisure and power during the reign of Louis XIV. The palace and gardens, rendered in precise detail, embody the principles of order, symmetry, and control that were central to the Sun King's vision of absolute monarchy. The very act of mapping and documenting the space reflects a desire to codify and disseminate the cultural values associated with the court of Versailles. Consider how this architectural plan functions not just as a practical guide, but as a representation of social hierarchy and artistic patronage. We might consult archival records of royal commissions, landscape design treatises, and contemporary accounts of court life to better understand its significance. The history of art reminds us that aesthetic choices are often intertwined with social and political agendas.