Allegory is the expression of truths or generalizations about human existence by means of symbolic fictional figures, places or events.Many readers have asked me about the allegories used in The Wisdom of the Flock. The Featured image for this post is entitled “Unsolved Mystery”. It is by Marina Terauds. Marina was gracious enough to agree…
Continued from Part 1 Madame Helvétius was officially named Anne-Catherine de Ligniville. Her married name was Helvétius. But everyone (including Ben) called her Minette. This portrait by Louis-Michel van Loo does not have a clearly established date, but most likely pre-dates Franklin’s time in France. Here is a reproduction of a miniature of her (also younger): And…
Most of the characters portrayed in The Wisdom of the Flock were real people. A few had many likenesses made during their lifetime (e.g. Ben Franklin, Mesmer, and Marie Antoinette), but paintings, busts, ceramic medallions, and other likenesses were expensive. The were only readily available to rich people in the 1700’s. As I noted in…