Triumphal arch, from 'Éloges et discours sur la triomphante réception du Roy en sa ville de Paris ...' by Jean-Baptiste de Machault 1629

Melchior Tavernier created this print of a triumphal arch in the early 17th century as part of a book documenting the ceremonial entry of the King into Paris. These arches were temporary structures erected to honor and celebrate the monarch’s power and authority. This image conveys meaning through its classical references and symbolic imagery. The arch itself recalls ancient Roman architecture, associating the French monarchy with the grandeur and legitimacy of the Roman Empire. We see a ruler in a chariot at the top, angelic figures, and an allegorical figure at the very top. These kinds of embellishments were calculated to convey power, triumph, and divine favor. The book itself, commissioned by the court, served as a form of propaganda, reinforcing the image of the king as a powerful and divinely ordained ruler. By studying such images alongside historical documents, such as royal decrees and accounts of court life, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and political dynamics of 17th-century France and the ways in which art was used to shape public opinion.