Neptunus die de storm stilt 1879

This print of Neptune stills the storm comes from the hand of Léon Vidal sometime in the 19th Century. It shows the God of the sea calming a storm as people drown in the waves beneath. This image reminds us of the power of the classics in 19th century France. Greek and Roman mythology were deeply embedded in the curriculum of elite schools, which were the route to social advancement. Artists looked to the ancient world for dignified subject matter. Neptune’s classical associations link him to secular authority. It is difficult to know whether this image comments on the social structures of the time. Does it critique the institutions of art? We would need to investigate the archive to better understand its context. As art historians, we might explore 19th century education to fully understand this image. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.