Gezicht op het paleis en de haven van Lyon 1652

Israel Silvestre created this print, "View of the Palace and Port of Lyon," in the 17th century. Silvestre, as court artist, used his talents in service of the monarchy, capturing the grandeur of French architecture and landscapes. The scene shows a bustling port with figures populating the foreground and boats lining the river. The architecture looms large and dominates the scene, reflecting the era’s emphasis on power and authority. But who populates this space? Whose labor sustains this economy? Are they free or forced? What kind of social interactions are allowed in the port? By capturing this vision of Lyon, Silvestre doesn't just document a place, but he also offers us insight into the social hierarchies of the time, hinting at the complex relationships that define this space. While the print presents a formal view of power, it also evokes questions about the lives and stories of those who moved through it.