Heilige Genoveva van Parijs 1796 - 1851

Editor: This is *Heilige Genoveva van Parijs*, or Saint Genevieve of Paris, a print from sometime between 1796 and 1851 by Pierre Nicolas Géraut. It has such a calm and idealized feeling. Genevieve looks so serene as a shepherdess. What's your take on this particular work? Curator: Serene is a wonderful word for it. But something in her gaze also hints at something… almost prophetic. This piece has echoes of romanticism, yet it also reflects the Neoclassical love of order and virtue. Notice the clear, precise lines of the engraving, and how she's framed by this perfectly peaceful, almost stage-like landscape. And the dog! A symbol of loyalty, ever-present by her side. Does the landscape suggest anything to you? Editor: Well, the way Genevieve stands so grounded and confident, juxtaposed with those placid sheep...I suppose the landscape gives a nod to the French countryside that she is the patron saint of. Curator: Exactly! And beyond. In a tumultuous period for France, Genevieve represented stability and divine protection. Consider the choice of portraying a saint, known for her miracles and defence of Paris, in a simple, pastoral scene. Do you think this was to make her more relatable to the everyday citizen? Editor: Definitely. By portraying her as a shepherdess, it makes her seem more accessible. I think I initially only saw it as calm but now, understanding the historical context, I also see the print as very intentional and purposeful. Curator: Yes, it is as a quiet beacon of hope, a symbol deeply intertwined with the very fabric of French identity, presented to all. We unravel another layer with each encounter.