Paleis van Carl Gustaf Wrangel vanaf het Mälarmeer 1670 - 1674

This engraving of the Paleis van Carl Gustaf Wrangel, as seen from the Mälarmeer, was made by Jean Lepautre in the 17th century. It depicts a grand palace, a symbol of power and wealth during the Swedish Empire. Lepautre, a French designer and engraver, captured not just the architecture but also the societal context of the time. Consider who would have had access to such luxury and privilege. The palace stands in stark contrast to the lives of the common people, most of whom were living in relative poverty. What does it mean to create such a lavish space, and who is it really for? The ships in the harbor remind us of Sweden’s maritime power and the global trade networks that supported such opulence. This image invites us to reflect on the relationship between power, representation, and the often-invisible labor that sustains it. It's a moment frozen in time, pregnant with questions about legacy, access, and the stories we choose to tell.