Tekstblad over de Schilderkunst 1693

This is a page from "Tekstblad over de Schilderkunst" by Charles Perrault, made in the 17th century. Perrault was part of the French Royal Academy, an institution that had enormous power over the arts in France. We see here an aesthetic that academy promoted: idealized, classical forms, and a hierarchy of genres with history painting at the top. The page describes children learning to paint, emphasizing the importance of drawing and color. By representing children in this context, Perrault suggests that artistic skill is something that can and should be taught. The Royal Academy played a key role in this process through its teaching program. To understand this page more fully, one could research the history of the French Royal Academy, the writings of its members, and the art that it promoted. We see how art is not just a matter of individual talent, but is also shaped by institutions and social forces.