Gâres les Albums 1828

Auguste Raffet created this lithograph titled ‘Gâres les Albums’ at an unknown date. Look closely, and observe the symbolic dance unfolding before you. At the summit, winged devils and cherubs clash amidst a cascade of papers, each figure locked in a chaotic struggle. Here, we see a pictorial representation of the war between good and evil as it plays out in the cultural sphere. Documents and literature that are meant to elevate society, and are now weaponized. Consider the image of angels, often associated with divine inspiration, juxtaposed with devils. They are figures reminiscent of ancient Greek demons, symbolizing chaos and base desires. This dichotomy echoes through art history, from medieval morality plays to Renaissance allegories, each era imbuing these archetypes with new cultural meanings. The clash of these symbols speaks to a timeless human struggle: the battle between enlightenment and ignorance, creation and destruction. Through Raffet’s lithograph, we are reminded that the motifs of conflict and creation endlessly resurface, reflecting our deepest fears and aspirations.