The theme of this card deals with the French revolution by quoting from J-J Rousseau Confessions. After reading a question proposed by the Academy of Dijon for a prize in the next year, he notes that he seemed to behold another world and became a different man. The question was "HAS THE RESTORATION OF THE ARTS AND SCENCES HAD A PURIFYING EFFECT UPON MORALS?" -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

This proposal is based upon the signature of the Swiss artist, Ferdinand Hodler, inscribed on a stone. A critical essay on this proposal by Wouter Weijer comprises most of the text of this print. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

The image of this poem is a basket of plants that represents the third week of Fructidor (month of fruit) in the French Republican Calendar (1793-1805). Finlay states that veneration of nature was in keeping with a revolution that was highly influenced by the writings of Rosseau. With the exception of Marat, all of its more ardent leaders expressed a wish to retire to a life in the country. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.