The shadow of enlightenment : optical and political transparency in France, 1789-1848

This book is the first to place revolutionary advances in light and optics in the cultural context of France in the first half of the nineteenth century. The narrative follows the work and careers of France's two chief rivals on the subject of light: Arago and Biot. Their disagreement began on the subject of technical optics, but expanded to include politics, religion, agricultural policy, education, dinner companions, housing arrangements, photography, railroads, vital forces, astrology, the Egyptian calendar, and colonial slavery. At the heart of their disagreement was always a question of visibility, and the extent of transparency or obscurity they assigned to the world. Optical transparency formed a crucial condition for Arago's vision of a liberal republic governed by reason. Biot's call for strong forms of authority rested on his claims that the world did not offer itself up for universal agreement so easily. "This book is the first to place revolutionary advances in light and optics in the cultural context of France in the first half of the nineteenth century. The narrative follows the work and careers of France's two chief rivals on the subject of light: Arago and Biot. Their disagreement began on the subject of technical optics, but expanded to include politics, religion, agricultural policy, education, dinner companions, housing arrangements, photography, railroads, vital forces, astrology, the Egyptian calendar, and colonial slavery. At the heart of their disagreement was always a question of visibility, and the extent of transparency or obscurity they assigned to the world. Optical transparency formed a crucial condition for Arago's vision of a liberal republic governed by reason. Biot's call for strong forms of authority rested on his claims that the world did not offer itself up for universal agreement so easily."--BOOK JACKET Table of Contents......Page 8 The Shadow of Enlightenment: Optical and Political Transparency in France, 1789- 1848......Page 10 1. A Revolution in Representation......Page 20 2. Le Rouge et le Vert: The Colors of Opposition in Restoration France......Page 42 3. Astronomy: The Light of the Heavens......Page 80 4. A Vital Matter: Light and Life......Page 114 5. Light Paints Itself: The Conditions of Photographic Representation......Page 138 6. Illuminate All Eyes: Colonial Markets and the Problem of Freedom......Page 170 Conclusion......Page 192 A......Page 196 B......Page 197 F......Page 198 P......Page 199 U......Page 200 Z......Page 201 Table of Contents 8 The Shadow of Enlightenment: Optical and Political Transparency in France, 1789- 1848 10 1. A Revolution in Representation 20 2. Le Rouge et le Vert: The Colors of Opposition in Restoration France 42 3. Astronomy: The Light of the Heavens 80 4. A Vital Matter: Light and Life 114 5. Light Paints Itself: The Conditions of Photographic Representation 138 6. Illuminate All Eyes: Colonial Markets and the Problem of Freedom 170 Conclusion 192 Index 196 A 196 B 197 C 198 D 198 E 198 F 198 G 199 H 199 I 199 J 199 K 199 L 199 M 199 N 199 O 199 P 199 R 200 S 200 T 200 U 200 V 201 W 201 Y 201 Z 201 This work examines the intersection of science and politics in the work of Francois Arago and Jean-Baptiste Biot, the principle architects of the optical revolution of early 19th-century France. Their disagreement over the optical accessibility of the world played out across a wide range of French culture