Gezicht op Marseille 1735

This print, titled "Gezicht op Marseille," depicts a bird's-eye view of Marseille and was made by an anonymous artist. The city, rendered in careful detail, sprawls along the coastline, yet the image's meaning lies as much in the celestial figure presiding over the scene as it does in the depiction of the city itself. Prints like these served a vital role in shaping European perceptions of different cities and regions. Produced and distributed during a time of growing trade and exploration, they helped to construct a sense of place. The angel above suggests a divine blessing on Marseille, a city that, due to its port, was gaining wealth through commerce. The print also presents Marseille as an organized, almost idealized space, potentially glossing over the realities of urban life. Understanding the context of such images requires delving into the archives of cartography, trade records, and religious imagery, all to reveal how the image participates in the social and institutional narratives of its time.