Gezicht op Avignon 1654

Here is Israel Silvestre’s etching of Avignon, made sometime in the mid to late 17th century. Silvestre was one of the most important printmakers of his time, serving the French court and helping to disseminate images of France’s landscape and architecture. Silvestre’s views weren’t just documentation – they also served a political purpose. Louis XIV was keen to project an image of France as a powerful, civilized nation, and artists like Silvestre helped to create this image. This view of Avignon, with its imposing Palace of the Popes and sturdy fortifications, speaks to the power and prestige of the French state. Yet, at the same time, there's a certain dreaminess to the scene, an invitation to imagine oneself transported to this distant, fortified city. Silvestre's work invites us to consider the role of art in shaping national identity. How do images like this contribute to our understanding of history and place? How do they reflect and shape the complex relationship between power, identity, and representation?