Zicht op de Avenue des Champs-Élysées vanaf de Arc de Triomphe 1838

Editor: So, this is "Zicht op de Avenue des Champs-Élysées vanaf de Arc de Triomphe," an 1838 print by Louis-Julien Jacottet in the Rijksmuseum's collection. It's an engraving, and I'm struck by how orderly everything appears; almost rigidly so. What catches your eye when you look at this? Curator: I immediately consider the print's role in shaping the *idea* of Paris, especially for those who hadn't visited. Think about the burgeoning tourism industry then and the power of images to construct a desirable reality. Jacottet's rendering is about presenting Paris as civilized, ordered, and worth seeing, isn’t it? Editor: Absolutely, I can see that! It's like a visual advertisement. Did the Champs-Élysées really look like that, or is there some idealization happening? Curator: A crucial question! Look at the figures in the foreground. Are they simply observers, or are they strategically placed? Consider their clothing, their leisurely postures. They reinforce the idea of Paris as a place of refinement and leisure, aligning with the tastes of the emerging middle class and aristocratic travelers. Do you notice how this image downplays any social unrest or potential for revolution that also characterized Paris at this time? Editor: That's true. The city feels almost...sanitized. This is a very specific perspective on Parisian life. I guess it makes me consider the politics of imagery even in seemingly straightforward landscape prints. Curator: Exactly! And it highlights how art doesn't just reflect reality, but actively shapes our understanding of it, particularly through the lens of power and class. It’s a testament to the curated experience we often receive of historical places and times. Editor: That's made me think a lot differently about cityscape art! Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Always good to question what a picture truly shows, and perhaps more importantly, what it conceals.