Liberty, Supported by Reason, Protects Innocence and Crowns Virtue 1793

Editor: Here we have François Bernier’s print, "Liberty, Supported by Reason, Protects Innocence and Crowns Virtue." I'm struck by the composition; it feels very staged, almost like a tableau. What sociopolitical message do you think Bernier was trying to convey through this allegorical scene? Curator: The image certainly evokes the Enlightenment ideals, doesn't it? We have Liberty, Reason, Innocence, and Virtue personified. Consider how this image may have functioned as propaganda, reinforcing prevailing notions of power and social order during its time. Editor: So, it's less a celebration of abstract virtues and more a reinforcement of specific societal structures? Curator: Precisely! Who defines "Reason" or "Virtue" in this context? By examining the context in which this work was created and circulated, we can see that its message is far from neutral. Editor: That's a really interesting point. I will definitely look more closely at who benefits from these representations. Thanks!