Gezicht op de stallen van Versailles 1681

This print of the Versailles stables was made by Adam Perelle in the late 17th century, using engraving techniques. The image is achieved by carving lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper, a process demanding considerable skill. The material – metal – allows for a precision and detail that captures the grandeur of Versailles. The texture of the print, the slight impression on the paper, speaks to the labor-intensive process involved. Consider how the print medium itself relates to the social context. Prints like these were a form of mass communication, disseminating images of power and luxury to a wider audience. They offer insight into the labor and resources required to maintain such a lavish display, from the horses and carriages to the staff needed to keep it all running. This print challenges distinctions between art and craft, reminding us that even images of power are constructed through skilled handwork.