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

This print, made by Melchior Tavernier, shows the great hall built for the royal entry of Louis XIII into Paris. It was produced using engraving, a printmaking technique involving cutting lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The linear quality of the engraving beautifully captures the hall's architectural details. The procession of classical figures lining the walls, the coffered ceiling, and the allegorical scene above are all rendered with precision. Consider the sheer labor that went into creating this image. Every line is carefully incised, demanding skill and patience. Prints like this one played a crucial role in disseminating images and ideas, and are tied to the rise of a culture of spectacle, feeding a growing demand for visual representations of power and ceremony. Tavernier’s print provides insight into the intersections of art, politics, and consumption in early modern France. Appreciating the work's materials, making, and social context enriches our experience of art history, moving beyond traditional boundaries.