Gezicht op de zijgevel van de kerk van Richelieu 1629 - 1679

Jean Marot created this delicate drawing of the side facade of the church of Richelieu in the 17th century. Marot's work provides a glimpse into the architecture commissioned by Cardinal Richelieu, a prominent figure in French politics. The drawing presents the church with a striking geometrical clarity. It offers a measured, almost sterile view, which mirrors the Cardinal's ambition to impose order and grandeur on France through architecture. Churches like this became powerful symbols of authority and religious orthodoxy. Consider how the church, rendered with such precision, functioned as a stage for religious rituals that dictated social roles and reinforced class hierarchies. The experience of those who entered such a space, the visual and spatial cues that guided their behavior, and how this architectural environment shaped their sense of self. It makes you wonder: did these architectural marvels inspire or intimidate the common worshiper?