Façade met beelden en fonteinen 1772 - 1779

Jean Pelletier made this print of a building façade with sculptures and fountains using etching. The classical style reflects the values of order, reason, and harmony that were important in 18th-century France. Look at the symmetrical design and the sculptures. They reference the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. The building is likely a private residence for an aristocratic family. The monumental style and the sculptures create a sense of authority, and the fountains suggest leisure and abundance. This was a period of great inequality in France. The nobility enjoyed enormous privileges and wealth, while the majority of the population struggled with poverty and hardship. We can learn more about the culture of 18th-century France through primary sources. Things like letters, diaries, and architectural plans give us insight into its social structures. They show us how buildings, like the one in the print, reflected and reinforced the power of the elite.