"The Good God" from The Complete Works of Béranger 1836

J. J. Grandville created "The Good God" as part of "The Complete Works of Béranger" during a time of significant social and political upheaval in France. Grandville was working in a period marked by industrialization and growing social inequality, all under the shadow of revolution. In this piece, God is seen at a window overlooking the earth. The celestial and the mundane are connected by a cascade of planets. Grandville questions traditional representations of power and authority, reflecting the era's changing views on religion and governance. His work suggests a divine being who, rather than directly intervening, observes humanity navigating its own course. Grandville’s "Good God" thus speaks to the complexities of faith, the burdens of existence, and the ongoing human quest for meaning. It encourages us to reflect on our place in the cosmos.