Nimfen en saters dansend in een bos 1850 - 1851

François-Louis Français created this print of nymphs and satyrs dancing in a forest. We see these mythical creatures reveling in nature. But to understand this image, we need to think about the culture that produced it. This print was made in 19th-century France, a time of rapid social and economic change. Industrialization and urbanization were transforming French society. Artists responded to this change in different ways. Some embraced modernity. Others, like Français, looked to the past for inspiration. Here, in this scene, we see a longing for a simpler, more harmonious way of life. The nymphs and satyrs, symbols of nature and freedom, dance in a timeless, unspoiled landscape. Art historians use various resources, from exhibition reviews to sales records, to understand the social and institutional context that shaped this image. Ultimately, what this work tells us about the changing values and anxieties of 19th-century French society is invaluable.