Haven van Aurey 1776 - 1816

Yves Marie Le Gouaz made this print of the Port of Auray in France around 1778. It presents the harbor as both a site of industry and leisure, with ships in the water and figures relaxing on the banks. But this image is more than a simple depiction. It's an articulation of the complex relationship between the monarchy, the economy, and the land in 18th-century France. This print would have been part of a larger series of images commissioned by the King to document the ports and coasts of France, therefore it's a piece of propaganda, emphasizing royal power and control over resources. The presence of people enjoying the landscape also speaks to an idealised vision of social harmony. To understand this image, one must consider the economic policies of the time, and consult archives to uncover royal patronage networks. Art like this reminds us that the aesthetic experience is always shaped by institutional forces.