Gezicht op de waterpomp Samaritaine op de Pont Neuf over de rivier de Seine te Parijs 1745 - 1775

Jean-François Daumont’s print depicts the water pump Samaritaine on the Pont Neuf in Paris. In eighteenth-century France, the Pont Neuf was more than just a bridge; it was a stage where Parisian life unfolded. Daumont's print gives us a glimpse into the daily life and visual culture of the era. The pump itself, an imposing architectural structure, provided water to the city but also served as a backdrop for social interaction. Note the elegant figures strolling along the bridge, carriages conveying the wealthy, and the overall sense of a city thriving with commerce and leisure. How does Daumont invite you, the viewer, to participate in this vibrant scene? To understand this image better, we can turn to sources such as period maps, city directories, and social histories. These resources help us understand the urban development of Paris, the role of public works like the Samaritaine, and the daily routines of its inhabitants. Only then, can we appreciate the complex layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly simple image.