Gezicht op de Tuileries te Parijs, 1726

This is an engraving from 1726, depicting a view of the Tuileries in Paris, made by an anonymous artist. The scene captures the formal gardens and the social life of the Parisian elite. In this era, Paris was not just a city; it was a stage where the aristocracy performed their status. The wide boulevards and manicured gardens like the Tuileries were designed to display power and control. Here, gender and class are explicitly performed in the leisure activities depicted, whether through fashion, interaction, or the very act of occupying this space. Notice how the bodies are arranged and presented, reflecting the strict social protocols governing behaviour and visibility. While this image presents an idyllic view, it is worth considering that these spaces and the lifestyles they supported were built upon significant social and economic disparities. As you look, consider what is not shown and whose stories are not told.