Gezicht op de Notre-Dame in Melun 1631 - 1661

Israel Silvestre made this print of the Notre-Dame in Melun with etching in the mid-17th century. At this time, printmaking in France was tied to the monarchy. Louis XIV used prints to circulate images of himself, his court, and French architecture to promote his power. Silvestre was among the artists employed to create these prints. As a draughtsman to the king, he was charged with documenting royal properties and events. So while this print depicts a religious building, it is also an instrument of state power. It flattens the building and emphasizes its facade to create a clear, legible image, which would be easily reproducible. The text at the bottom translates to "View of Our Lady of Melun, on the River Seine." The image, like Silvestre’s position at court, was created to serve the King. To learn more about the relationship between art and power in Early Modern France, consult primary documents, such as royal inventories, and secondary sources written by art historians and social scientists.