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 a grand temporary structure erected for the triumphant reception of King Louis XIII in Paris around 1629. Part of Jean-Baptiste de Machault'satory publication *Élog et discours sur la triphante réception du Roy sa ville de Paris*, depicts an ornate arch adorned with chariots and classical motifs, symbolizing royal victory and the opulent pageantry of early Baroque France. Such ephemeral architectures were common for royal entries, blending ancient Roman triumph with Renaissance splendor to exalt the monarchy. Master etcher Abraham Bosse, collaborating with publishers Melchior Tavernier and Pierre Firens I, employed intricate etching techniques to render fine architectural details on a modest plate (11 5/16 × 7 15/16 in.). Etching's precision allowed widespread dissemination of these festive designs, preserving the spectacle for posterity in an era when printmaking revolutionized visual culture. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work exemplifies 17th-century *prints-fête*—commemorative images of public rejoicings. It offers a window into the cultural reverence for kingship, where architecture and artistry intertwined to inspire awe and loyalty among the populace.

About the Artist

Abraham Bosse|Jean-Baptiste de Machault|Melchior Tavernier|Pierre Firens I · 1602–1676

Abraham Bosse (1604–1676) was a French printmaker and theorist whose approximately 1,600 etchings provide an unparalleled visual record of 17th-century French life. Born to Huguenot parents in Tours, he trained in Paris under Melchior Tavernier and became a devoted follower of Jacques Callot's technical innovations. Bosse's meticulous etchings depicted subjects ranging from daily life and fashion ...