A View of Paris with the Ile de la Cité

Jean-Baptiste Raguenet’s A View of Paris with the Ile de la Cité captures the historical heart of the French capital in the mid-18th century.

The Ile de la Cité is the ancient, central island in the Seine River, home to major landmarks like Notre-Dame. Raguenet specialized in painting these detailed city views, which were valuable both as souvenirs for visitors and as precise historical records.

The painting is notable for its architectural accuracy and its focus on everyday life. Notice the small details of the water traffic—barges, small boats—and the varied activities along the riverbanks. The context of this work is the documentation and celebration of Paris as a thriving, powerful European capital, showing its essential character before modernization changed its landscape.