Landschap bij nacht met reizigers 1620 - 1666

Nicolas Perelle made this print, "Landscape by Night with Travelers," sometime in the late 17th century. The scene presents a nocturnal journey. But what does it mean to travel by night? The image offers visual codes connecting to cultural and historical associations. France in the late 1600s was under the firm control of Louis XIV, and the state regulated almost every aspect of its citizens' lives. A permit was required for travel, so those on the move at night were most likely traveling without permission. Are they refugees? Criminals? This image raises questions about the social conditions that shaped artistic production in that era. The inscription at the bottom indicates that Perelle was granted the privilege of making and selling this print by the King. This suggests that the image might be considered conservative, in line with the values of the Royal court. The historian's role is to delve into such questions by examining archival records and other historical documents. This helps us understand art as something contingent on its social and institutional context.