Lyrical Poetry 1736 - 1746

Claude Augustin Duflos le Jeune created this print entitled ‘Lyrical Poetry’ sometime in the 18th century. It's an allegorical scene, common in an era grappling with ideas about power, knowledge, and beauty. The central female figure embodies poetry itself. Perched on clouds, she is adorned with symbols of intellect and inspiration, but also the idealized beauty standards of the time. Note how her pose and attire reflect the era's fascination with classical antiquity, a period seen as the zenith of artistic and intellectual achievement. Two cherubic figures flank her; one beats a drum, and the other holds a flame. Together they represent the emotional intensity and transformative power of poetic expression. The inscription at the bottom celebrates poetry’s ability to elevate and immortalize deeds. But what deeds? Whose stories get told, and whose are left out? The visual language used here suggests poetry, and by extension art, as a tool for shaping cultural memory and values.