Gezicht op de tuin van Fromont 1631 - 1691

Israel Silvestre made this print, "View of the Garden of Fromont," in the 17th century. It offers us a glimpse into the formal gardens that were status symbols for the elite during this time. Silvestre, as a printmaker, played a crucial role in disseminating images of power and privilege. He captured the geometric precision and manicured nature that signified control over the natural world. These gardens weren't just spaces for leisure; they reflected a social hierarchy where land ownership and aesthetic taste were markers of class. What strikes me is how these gardens, meant to impress, also reveal a desire to impose order. I wonder about the labor required to maintain such landscapes and the lives of those who toiled, unseen, to uphold this image of perfection. This print invites us to consider the stories behind the scenery, the power dynamics shaping the gardens, and their representation.