Gezicht op het Collège des Quatre-Nations 1688 - 1695

Adam Perelle created this print of the Collège des Quatre-Nations in Paris sometime in the late 17th century. The print offers a glimpse into the social hierarchies of the era. The grand architecture of the Collège, now the Institut de France, looms large, a symbol of power and knowledge reserved for the elite. In contrast, the figures along the Seine River, rendered with less detail, represent the working class navigating the city's waterways. This juxtaposition speaks volumes about access and privilege, highlighting how urban spaces were experienced differently based on social standing. Consider how the print situates the viewer. Are we positioned among the elite, admiring the architectural marvel, or do we stand with the commoners, observing the spectacle from below? Perelle’s work invites us to reflect on the narratives embedded in urban landscapes. It prompts us to think about whose stories are told and whose are often overlooked.