Triumphal arch, from 'Éloges et discours sur la triomphante réception du Roy en sa ville de Paris ...' by Jean-Baptiste de Machault

Art Historical Context

This etching, titled *Triumphal Arch*, captures one of the grand temporary structures erected for the triumphant entry of King Louis XIII into in 1629, as documented in Jean-Baptiste de Machault'satory publication *Éloges et discours sur laomphante réception du en sa ville de Paris These elaborate arches, adorned with symbolic motifs like ships evoking naval prowess and imperial glory, were a hallmark of royal pageantry in early 17th-century France, blending classical antiquity with Baroque exuberance to affirm the monarch's divine right and power. Collaboratively produced by skilled printmakers Pierre Firens I, Melchior Tavernier, and Abraham Bosse—renowned for their intricate etchings that brought architectural fantasies to life—the work exemplifies the era's mastery of the etching medium. By biting acid into metal plates, they achieved fine lines and tonal depth, allowing detailed reproduction of ornate ornamentation for widespread dissemination. Classified among *prints-fête* and architectural prints, it preserves the ephemeral splendor of public festivities. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this 11 15/16 × 8 7/8 in. sheet offers a window into absolutist spectacle, where art served propaganda, uniting courtly elite and populace in shared awe of the Sun King's precursor. A testament to collaborative ingenuity, it invites us to imagine the roar of crowds beneath its arches.

About the Artist

Pierre Firens I|Melchior Tavernier|Abraham Bosse|Jean-Baptiste de Machault (French|Flemish) · 1584 |1580 –1635 |1638

French (active 1584–1635)|Flemish, Antwerp 1580–1638 Paris