L’Amour et la richesse 

Narcisse-Virgilio Diaz painted "L'Amour et la richesse" in nineteenth-century France, using oil on canvas. In this allegorical painting, we see a fair-skinned woman, likely representing Venus, surrounded by cherubic figures. One holds a mirror, another a cornucopia overflowing with gold coins. The painting reflects the tastes of the Second Empire under Napoleon III, which saw a revival of classical themes in art. Diaz, associated with the Barbizon School, typically painted landscapes, but here he adopts a more academic style, likely to appeal to the conservative Salon system. This system, controlled by the Académie des Beaux-Arts, dictated what kind of art was considered worthy of public display and patronage. Diaz’s choice to depict a classical subject aligns with the Academy's preferences, a reflection of the social conditions that shaped artistic production during this time. Art historians can examine Salon records, artist biographies, and period critiques to understand how Diaz navigated the art world of his time. Examining these sources will help in interpreting the painting’s meaning within its original social and institutional context.