Les Anglais au Salon de 1814 c. early 19th century

This anonymous print, 'Les Anglais au Salon de 1814', captures a scene at the Paris Salon, rendered with etching and hand coloring. It presents a critical view of English visitors observing French art, likely made shortly after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The image works through stereotypes. The English are depicted as comically gawking, one using a telescope to view the paintings—a not-so-subtle commentary on their perceived lack of understanding or appreciation for French culture. This piece reflects a broader European sentiment post-French Revolution, where national identities were being redefined and often pitted against one another. The Paris Salon itself was a highly institutionalized space, controlled by the French Academy, and a barometer of political and cultural values. This print is a direct comment on the social dynamics within that space and on the role of art as a stage for national and cultural identity. To fully understand this image, it helps to delve into the political cartoons of the period. We can use those to unearth more about the Anglo-French relations of the time and the function of the Salon within French society.