Three Images from Millin's Atlas, plate XII 1807 - 1808

Aubin-Louis Millin created this print, “Three Images from Millin’s Atlas, plate XII,” using etching. Millin was an antiquarian, studying ancient objects to piece together history. His "Atlas" was part of a larger project to document French monuments. Here, he depicts scenes of early Christian art. Notice how Millin represents these artifacts. He isolates them from their original settings, transforming them into specimens for study. This approach reflects a broader shift in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The rise of museums and academic societies created new ways of classifying and understanding the past. The visual style also reflects the influence of Enlightenment ideals, with its emphasis on reason and empirical observation. Millin's work invites us to consider how institutions shape our understanding of art and history. To delve deeper into Millin's work, explore the archives of the Société des Antiquaires de France, where he was a prominent member. These sources shed light on the social and intellectual networks that shaped his approach to the past.