Oeuvres de Jean Racine 1801

This engraving illustrates a scene from Jean Racine’s play, "Iphigénie," a tragedy based on Greek mythology. It uses the visual codes of neoclassicism to explore themes of duty, sacrifice, and the conflict between personal desires and social expectations. Made in France, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century, this work reflects the cultural and institutional contexts of the time. Racine's plays were central to the French court, embodying the values of order and reason. Theater was more than just entertainment; it was a tool for reinforcing social norms and moral values, as well as an arena for the construction of national identity. Examining archival records of theatrical productions, literary criticism, and social commentary of the period might offer further insights into how this work engaged with the political and cultural debates of its time. Art like this reminds us that its meaning is contingent on its social and institutional context.