|
This engraving after Israël Silvestre shows the plan of the whole complex at Versailles with view of the city. Versailles was regarded as the ultimate palace prototype by absolute rulers throughout Europe. The unity of palace, town and park and the scale of the links with the extensive landscaped grounds around it were taken as an example of a type of order that could appropriately be imitated by any ambitious ruler. The position of the palace, with its widely extending wings, provided a single central focus which both separated and enclosed the garden side from the town side. The town elevation was set on the road, street, and alley system which radiated like a star from the palace.
|
