Gezicht op de Pont Royal over de rivier de Seine te Parijs, gezien richting de Pont Neuf 1745 - 1775

Jean-François Daumont made this print of the Pont Royal over the Seine in Paris, sometime before his death in 1775. It presents a carefully ordered view of the city, one shaped as much by the political and economic structures of 18th-century France as it is by Daumont’s own hand. The image creates meaning through visual codes. Note the architecture, the fashions of the people, and the boats moving up and down the river. These details reflect the importance of commerce and the prominence of the aristocracy. The Pont Royal itself was a symbol of royal power and state control, commissioned by Louis XIV. The print is a subtle reminder of that. To truly understand this work, consider consulting historical maps, records of royal commissions, and studies of 18th-century French society. By understanding the social and institutional context, we can appreciate how Daumont’s print served to reinforce specific social hierarchies.