Gezicht op het Kasteel van Versailles 1818

François Louis Couché made this print of the Palace of Versailles in France. The image presents a wide view of the palace, a symbol of royal power and opulence, from the Parisian avenue. The print was made during a period of significant social and political upheaval following the French Revolution. Consider how the artist grapples with the legacy of the monarchy. Is it an attempt to memorialize a bygone era, or does it reflect a more nuanced understanding of France's shifting social landscape? The choice to depict the palace from a public avenue may suggest a shift in perspective. It invites viewers to consider how this space can be interpreted as a site of both historical significance and public accessibility. To fully understand the print, one might research the shifting attitudes toward Versailles in post-revolutionary France, using archival materials, political pamphlets, and other period sources. The print invites us to contemplate the complex relationship between art, power, and social change.