Rousseau 300: Nature, Self, and State

This exhibition at the UCL Art Museum features rare items from UCL’s art and book collections to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of one of the most controversial authors in the history of philosophy, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). Among the items on show are first editions of Rousseau’s works, including On the Social Contract(Du contrat social, 1762), frontispieces and printed images. The display highlights his unique and interdisciplinary characteristics as a philosopher who not only wrote on politics, economics and education, but also composed music and wrote best-selling novels. A significant part is dedicated to Rousseau’s engagement with the philosophical tradition (from Plato to Locke) and his own posthumous reception. Featuring objects from UCL’s collections, the British Museum and the Voltaire Foundation, the show coincides with an international conference marking Rousseau’s tercentenary (19-21 April 2012) and special performances of his rarely produced opera, Le Devin du village(UCL, 20 January and 20 April 2012). 

The exhibition and the other events are open to the public and free.