Muziek en geneeskunde 1768 - 1771

Jean Charles Delafosse created this print, Muziek en Geneeskunde, using etching in the 18th century. It cleverly embodies the Enlightenment interest in classifying knowledge. Made in France, the print is split into two halves, each representing a different discipline. The upper section, ‘La Musique,’ features instruments like a lyre and trumpet, surrounding a medallion with a set of scales, perhaps suggesting the balance and harmony inherent in music. Beneath this, 'La Medecine,' with a serpent-entwined staff and a rooster atop a globe, symbolizes healing and watchfulness. These were conventional visual codes at the time, understood by a broad public audience. Delafosse was an ornamental engraver, commissioned to make this print. But the image also reflects the social and institutional structures of 18th-century France, where disciplines were being organized and categorized in new ways by institutions like the Academies. Understanding this print requires us to consider its historical context, delving into the social and intellectual history of the Enlightenment.