La Bastille, dans les premiers jours de sa démolition 1789

Hubert Robert painted the demolition of the Bastille prison in France during the early days of the French Revolution. This image, made at a time of great political upheaval, creates meaning through its depiction of destruction. The Bastille, a symbol of royal authority and oppression, is being torn down by a crowd of ordinary people. The scene suggests a shift in power, from the monarchy to the citizens. Robert was, at this time, the Keeper of the King’s Pictures, in charge of the conservation of paintings in the Louvre. He was later imprisoned himself during the Reign of Terror. This painting hints at the complex institutional histories of art under shifting social conditions. Was Robert celebrating the destruction or was he being pragmatic and cautious, documenting an event that he knew would shape French society? To understand this work better, look at archival documents and personal letters from this period, revealing more about the artist's intentions. Art history emphasizes that the meaning of art is always shaped by its social and institutional context.