Figure allégorique 

Luc-Olivier Merson created this drawing, "Figure allégorique," in France, but the exact date is unknown. The drawing presents us with an allegorical figure, encircled by a wreath, above the words "Société d'Edition Artistique." The image is heavy with classical references: the figure is goddess-like, with a laurel wreath headdress; she holds what looks like a miniature statue in her left hand. These references to classical antiquity were a common way of legitimizing institutions, connecting them to the perceived cultural prestige of the ancient world. This imagery could have been understood as signaling the artistic society’s commitment to upholding traditional artistic values. Further research into the "Société d'Edition Artistique" would reveal the organization’s artistic priorities and its relationship to the French art world of the time. By looking into the archives of similar societies, we can build a picture of its place within the cultural landscape of the period.