Gezicht op Château de Villers-Cotterêts in vogelvluchtperspectief 1655

This detailed 1655 engraving by Matthäus Merian (II) shows a bird’s eye view of Château de Villers-Cotterêts, a grand Renaissance-era castle located in Picardy, France. The artwork, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, showcases Merian’s meticulous attention to detail, depicting the castle’s imposing structure, its surrounding gardens, and even figures strolling within the grounds. This perspective drawing is a fine example of 17th century architectural illustration, reflecting the growing interest in depicting landscapes and structures accurately.