Design for an Allegorical Print 1795 - 1805

Louis Lafitte designed this allegorical print using etching, probably in the late 1790s. It presents a vision of the Institut National des Sciences et des Arts, founded in France in 1795, as a temple of knowledge. The print weaves visual codes and cultural references, presenting classical figures alongside symbols of enlightenment. The building in the background is the Musee National. It creates an image of the institution as the embodiment of reason and artistic talent. The scene is rich with symbolic objects: a bust of Minerva, goddess of wisdom, scientific instruments, and an Egyptian statuette, all of which speak to the universal scope of the Institute's inquiries. In its own time, this design would have been seen as progressive. It reflects the revolutionary era's faith in the power of knowledge to shape a better society. As art historians, we can research the archives of the Institut National to learn more about the artist's intentions, and how they were received by the public. Through these resources, we can better understand the role of art in reflecting and shaping social values.