Veüe generale en Perspective du Château Bassecourt, Anticours, Jardins, &c. de Richelieu 1640 - 1695

Adam Perelle created this print of the Château de Richelieu, using etching on laid paper. The composition is dominated by a strict linear perspective, pulling the viewer's eye toward a vanishing point deep within the landscape. This creates a sense of immense scale and control, reflecting the power associated with the estate. The eye follows a receding series of geometric forms: buildings, gardens and paths. The rigid structure is softened by the presence of figures and the surrounding trees, adding a layer of complexity to the scene. The formal qualities of the print, its precise lines and structured composition, serve to highlight the relationship between the architecture and its surrounding landscape. It is as much a philosophical statement, imposing order on nature, as it is a record. Note the calculated arrangement of space and form. In this print, visual structure communicates a system of power and representation.