Alexis Nicolas Perignon I – The Potager of the Hotel de Valentinois in Passy National Gallery of Art (Washington)

The composition presents a meticulously ordered garden landscape viewed through a circular format. A long, straight path dominates the foreground, receding towards a distant pavilion and beyond into a dense line of trees that form the horizon. The path is flanked by low hedges and flowerbeds, suggesting a cultivated space designed for leisurely strolls.
Here we see two figures in the immediate foreground, dressed in formal attire, walking away from the viewer along the path. Further down, a small group of people appears to be engaged in conversation near a central monument or fountain. Their postures suggest relaxed social interaction within this carefully controlled environment. The pavilion, rendered with architectural precision, serves as a focal point, its symmetrical design echoing the overall sense of balance and harmony that permeates the scene.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by greens, browns, and soft blues, contributing to an atmosphere of tranquility and refinement. Light plays across the landscape, highlighting certain areas while leaving others in shadow, creating depth and visual interest. The sky, with its scattered clouds, provides a sense of openness and expansiveness against the structured formality below.
Subtly, the painting conveys notions of privilege and leisure. The immaculate gardens, the elegant attire of the figures, and the architectural grandeur all point to an aristocratic lifestyle. The circular format itself might be interpreted as symbolizing wholeness or perfection, reinforcing the idealized nature of the scene. It is a depiction not merely of a garden, but of a carefully constructed world – a microcosm of order and control within a larger social context.