Design: Proportions of the Gladiator, from Encyclopédie 1762 - 1777

Benoit Louis Prevost created this print, 'Design: Proportions of the Gladiator, from Encyclopédie' as part of a larger enlightenment project. The Encyclopédie sought to gather all human knowledge, and disseminate it to the public. Within this context, Prevost's study of the male nude transcends mere anatomical study. Instead, it reflects the era's complex relationship with classical ideals, masculinity, and power. Prevost meticulously maps the ideal male form, referencing the gladiator, a figure of strength and virility. This idealization, however, also reveals the gendered and racialized norms of the 18th century. The male body is presented as the epitome of beauty, while other bodies are rendered as deviations from the norm. The emotional impact of this artwork stems from its simultaneous celebration and objectification of the male form. It reflects the power structures embedded in the pursuit of knowledge during the Enlightenment. Prevost's 'Gladiator' invites us to consider the social and cultural values that shape our understanding of beauty, strength, and the human form.