The gospel of freedom

"The Gospel of Freedom" by Robert Herrick is a story about Simeon Erard, an artist in Paris, as he deals with visitors like the Anthon family. It looks at big ideas like wanting to succeed, staying true to your art, and what society expects from you, all shown through Erard's friendships and how his values differ from others. The book starts by showing Simeon Erard displaying his artwork to Mrs. Anthon and her family, capturing their puzzled reactions to his artwork, particularly a painting of a woman in a bath. The story shows the differences artistic expression and the characters’ different ideas about art and being successful. The writing style is detailed, helping us understand Erard as a character—a creative person who wants to be known but also dislikes common views. The story takes place in Paris, where dreams of being an artist meet the pressures of society, leading to deeper ideas about who we are, what we want, and the search for real expression.