Gezicht op het fort Saint-Victor in Marseille 1631 - 1657

Israel Silvestre created this etching of Fort Saint-Victor in Marseille sometime in the 17th century. During this period, France was expanding its colonial power, trade, and military presence in the Mediterranean. Silvestre’s detailed depiction of the fort, an imposing structure overlooking the sea, speaks to France’s ambitions and the strategic importance of Marseille as a port city. In the foreground, we see figures that draw us into the scene. Who are these people at the base of the Fort? Are they trading, working or just passing through? Silvestre doesn't give us much to go on. Fort Saint-Victor represents not only military might but also the complex intersections of trade, cultural exchange, and perhaps also conflict inherent in Marseille’s role as a gateway between France and the rest of the Mediterranean world. This image serves as a window into a moment of French history marked by expansion, trade, and the assertion of power.