Preparatory Exercises, from Encyclopédie

Art Historical Context

This engraving, titled *Preparatory Exercises* and created by the artist Aubin in 1760, originates from the celebrated *Encyclopédie*, ambitious French reference work edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Abert. Published during the height of the Enlightenment, the *Encyclopédie* sought to compile and disseminate all branches of human knowledge through both text and detailed illustrations. Aubin’s contribution captures a moment of instruction or practice, rendered with the precise line work characteristic of 18th-century engraving. Engraving on laid paper was the ideal medium for such educational plates. The technique allowed for fine, repeatable detail that could be printed in large editions, making complex processes—from artistic training to scientific methods—accessible to a wide audience across Europe. These images transformed abstract ideas into visual knowledge, reflecting the period’s belief in reason, progress, and shared learning. Today, this print in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection reminds visitors of the Enlightenment’s enduring legacy: the conviction that carefully observed and clearly presented information could enlighten society. Aubin’s steady hand helped turn everyday exercises into lasting records of human curiosity and craft.