Ruïnes en bron bij rivier 1613 - 1695

Nicolas Perelle created this print, 'Ruins and fountain by a river', in France in the second half of the 17th century. It presents a romantic vision of classical antiquity, with a notional fountain placed amidst crumbling ruins, and a distant city as a backdrop. This image draws upon the cultural fascination with ancient Greece and Rome, a fascination which served ideological purposes in the France of Louis XIV. By associating his regime with the grandeur of antiquity, Louis sought to legitimize and enhance his own power. Prints like these circulated widely, shaping the visual culture of the time and reinforcing associations between royalty and classical civilization. To understand this print more fully, it would be useful to research the circulation of classical imagery in 17th-century France, and the ways in which Louis XIV used art and architecture to promote his image. The Bibliothèque Nationale de France would be a good place to start.