DE FER, N. - Veue en perspective de l'hostel Royal des Invalides [together with] Grand portail et Dome de l'Eglise de l'hostel Royal des Invalides.

Engraved view of the Invalides, with a plan of its surroundings, from Nicolas de Fer's "L'Atlas curieux ou le Monde réprésente dans des cartes. "
The complex known as the Hôtel des Invalides was founded in 1671 by Louis XIV, the Sun King. He wanted to provide accommodation for disabled and impoverished war veterans.

The "Atlas Curieux" is a geographic encyclopedia of images and a celebration of the French Empire under the Sun King, with maps of French possessions in the western hemisphere, maps of France, with detailed views of the grand waterworks at Marly, views of the great palaces and châteaux, views and plans of the Paris Observatory, and samples of military architecture. Issued in six annual parts from 1700-1705, the maps are based on the new observations of the Académie des Sciences, and drawn up with the assistance of Philipe de La Hire.