L’Ecole de chirurgie en construction 1773

Hubert Robert painted "L’Ecole de chirurgie en construction" during a time of significant architectural and intellectual transformation in France. Robert, working in the 18th century, frequently depicted scenes of construction and ruin. Here, we see the School of Surgery in Paris, a site of medical innovation and, arguably, social reform. Consider the act of building itself: Who were these laborers, their identities and stories largely unrecorded, who physically shaped these institutions? Robert’s painting opens a window into the class dynamics of the era, showing the contrast between the intellectual elite who would occupy the building and the working class responsible for its creation. The painting’s focus on a site of healing raises questions about access to healthcare and the power dynamics inherent in medical knowledge. As you look, think about how the architecture reflects the values and aspirations of a society on the brink of revolution.