Gezicht op het Institut de France te Parijs 1818

François Louis Couché created this print of the Institut de France in Paris. Couché lived through the tumult of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, a period of radical social and political change that deeply influenced artistic expression. This print offers us a glimpse into the evolving concept of national identity and the role of art in shaping it. What does it mean to depict a space dedicated to the arts during a time of revolution and empire? The symmetrical composition and neoclassical architecture evoke a sense of order and stability, yet we should ask, “Whose order and whose stability?” This image invites us to reflect on the relationship between art, power, and society, particularly during times of upheaval and transformation. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward depictions of architecture can carry layers of meaning and reflect the complex social and political realities of their time.