Portret van de astronoom Jean Sylvain Bailly c. 1792 - 1808

Lambertus Antonius Claessens made this print of Jean Sylvain Bailly sometime between 1763 and 1834. It is a formal portrait, fitting its sitter's status as a renowned astronomer and public figure in pre-revolutionary France. Prints such as this one served a vital purpose in the 18th century, especially in France. They circulated images and ideas, shaping public opinion and collective memory. Bailly, a celebrated intellectual, was also the first mayor of Paris during the French Revolution, a position that placed him at the heart of momentous social and political upheaval. The print's formal style is typical of its time, but its subject's fate was anything but typical: Bailly was eventually guillotined during the Reign of Terror. His story reveals the intertwined relationship between intellectual life, political power, and the volatile dynamics of revolutionary France. To fully understand this print, we need to delve into the archives, explore the history of science and politics in France, and consider the role of visual media in shaping public perceptions during a time of immense social change.