View of Chaillot in Paris 1635 - 1670

Reinier Nooms, a Dutch artist and former sailor, created this print, 'View of Chaillot in Paris', using etching techniques. Nooms, also known as Zeeman, captured scenes of maritime life and cityscapes during a time when the Dutch Golden Age was flourishing through trade and naval power. This image provides a glimpse into 17th-century Paris, just outside the city walls. Note the figures in the foreground, who appear to be merchants or travelers. They stand in contrast to the looming industrial presence on the left, evidenced by smoking chimneys. The print invites us to consider the intersection of urban development, class, and labor. Nooms, coming from a seafaring background, might have been particularly attuned to the changing landscapes brought about by commerce and industry. The detailed rendering of both the natural setting and the human activity suggests a nuanced perspective on the transformations shaping the city. It's a scene that captures the tension between the idyllic and the industrious, prompting reflection on the costs and benefits of progress.