Le Jardin du Roy tres Chrestien Henry IV roy de France et de Navare 1608

Editor: This is "Le Jardin du Roy tres Chrestien Henry IV roy de France et de Navare" a print and drawing by Pierre Vallet, from 1608. The rendering feels delicate and precise; I'm immediately drawn to the fine lines used to depict the flora. What strikes you when you look at this piece? Curator: The work is interesting in the context of the royal court. Notice that the garden is named after King Henry IV. Gardens during the Renaissance were not merely places of leisure but powerful political statements. This print served as a form of propaganda, celebrating the King’s dominion and sophistication. Does this botanical illustration remind you of others from this period? Editor: I can see similarities to herbals – books used for medicinal purposes and scientific study. So, this image served both an aesthetic and a practical purpose? Curator: Exactly. And consider the role of prints at this time. Engravings allowed for wider distribution of images, therefore disseminating specific ideologies and demonstrating the wealth, control and sophistication of the monarchy. What do you make of the choices related to the artist’s representation of natural specimens? Editor: It's interesting that these flowers are all presented in isolation. Maybe this highlights the King's power to collect and display specimens from all over his kingdom, transforming nature into an orderly exhibit that he oversees. I hadn't thought of it that way before. Thanks! Curator: Thinking about the function of images within socio-political systems really does transform our view of this piece, doesn’t it?