The Parisian Ascent Paris, 1667. A child is born into a city defined by the rigid hierarchies of the Grand Siècle. Claude Verdot grows up under the shadow of the Academy, absorbing the visual language of French classicism. His path is not one of wandering, but of disciplined pursuit. By 1690, the momentum of his talent becomes undeniable. He stands before the Academy to compete for the Prix de Rome, tackling the monumental theme of the…