Gezicht op de Cour de la Fontaine van het paleis van Fontainebleau 1726 - 1743

Jan Lamsvelt made this print of the Cour de la Fontaine at the Palace of Fontainebleau in the 18th century. The print gives us insight into the courtly life of the French aristocracy, and the way landscape and architecture were combined to project power. The vantage point here allows a full view of the palace, its gardens, and the leisure activities enjoyed by the elite. Note how the formal gardens are laid out in a way that directs our eye towards the palace itself. This visual language served to reinforce the status and authority of the monarchy, echoing the hierarchical structure of French society at the time. By studying estate inventories, architectural plans, and social histories, we can better understand the precise ways in which art served the interests of the powerful. In this way, the meaning of art is always tied to its specific social and institutional context.