This lecture investigates the aesthetic and cultural significance of the 'grand goût' in eighteenth-century French art, specifically focusing on the elevated status of history painting as interpreted by Denis Diderot. Roland Mortier, a distinguished scholar of Enlightenment thought, examines the intersection of art criticism and social prestige during this period. By analyzing Diderot's writings on the Salons, Mortier constructs an argument regarding how the hierarchy of genres reflected the intellectual priorities of the era. The text serves as a scholarly inquiry into the tension between classical artistic ideals and the evolving tastes of the Enlightenment public.

Scholars and art historians frequently cite this lecture as a concise, authoritative entry point into the complexities of Diderot's aesthetic philosophy. The text is noted for its academic rigor and its ability to distill dense eighteenth-century art theory into a focused, accessible lecture format.