Gezicht op het Potsdamer Stadtschloss, zijn stallen en tuinen 1751 - 1774

This anonymous print shows the Potsdam City Palace, its stables, and gardens. It offers insight into the social and cultural values of the Prussian court. The image creates meaning through its depiction of power, authority, and wealth in the 18th century. The palace is presented as a symbol of royal authority, and the gardens as a carefully cultivated space for leisure. The cultural references in the print, such as the classical architecture of the palace, reflect the influence of European artistic traditions on the Prussian court. The print invites us to consider the social conditions that shaped artistic production in 18th-century Prussia. It highlights the role of the court as a patron of the arts and as a symbol of social and political power. We might consult historical archives, letters, and other primary sources to better understand the social and institutional context in which it was created. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.