The Allegory of the Sorbonne 1889

Pierre Puvis de Chavannes's "The Allegory of the Sorbonne" (1889) is a monumental painting depicting a gathering of figures in a serene, wooded setting. The work is a symbolist representation of the intellectual pursuit of knowledge, with figures embodying different aspects of learning and scholarship. Chavannes's signature muted palette and simplified forms create a sense of timeless contemplation, conveying the enduring power of education. The painting is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where it continues to inspire viewers with its poetic vision of the human mind.