Exeter College DPhil student speaks at the plenary session of the Académie des Beaux-Arts

Exeter College DPhil student Aditi Gupta (2022, Medieval and Modern Languages) has presented her research at the Plenary Session of the Académie des beaux-arts, one of France’s most prestigious cultural institutions. 

Aditi delivered a presentation on Jean-Baptiste Gentil, the eighteenth-century French traveller and collector in India, at the Académie’s Plenary Session held at the Palais de l’Institut de France in Paris on Wednesday, 3 June. 

The invitation follows Aditi’s selection for a residency grant awarded by the Académie des beaux-arts. The fully funded residency enabled her to spend six months at the Bibliothèque et Villa Marmottan in Paris from January 2026, supporting the next stage of her doctoral research. 

Aditi’s DPhil explores the diplomatic, military, and intellectual exchanges between France and India in the eighteenth century, with a particular focus on the collections of paintings and manuscripts assembled by Jean-Baptiste Gentil. Her presentation highlighted the significance of Gentil’s work and its contribution to understanding Franco-Indian cultural and intellectual history. 

Reflecting on the experience, Aditi said: “It was quite surreal to be speaking amongst the académiciens who shape France’s artistic vision today.” 

The presentation marks another significant achievement for Aditi, following her recent success in securing the Académie des beaux-arts residency grant. Exeter College extends its warm congratulations to Aditi on this latest recognition of her research. 

(Left to right) Adrien Gœtz (director of the Bibliothèque et Villa Marmottan), Aditi Gupta, Agathe Cabau (researcher at the Bibliothèque et Villa Marmottan), Laurent Petitgirard (secrétaire perpétuel de l’Académie des beaux-arts)