The sunlight penetrated the classical French-style building of the Paris Academy of Sciences, spilling over the solemn and ancient eaves, pilasters, pediments, and relief sculptures, like golden strings plucking the melody of time.
When Arthur stepped into the French Academy, gathering the top talents in various fields of France, he immediately noticed the distinctive architectural style. It had a touch of Baroque elegance, yet strictly adhered to the five classical orders of Ancient Rome. Whether it was the Doric, Roman Ionic, Roman Corinthian, Tuscan, or Composite order, all could be found here in exemplary form.
The solemn forms and grand scale everywhere demonstrated France's national strength as the hegemonic country on the European continent, its religious authority and social hierarchy, expressing the French pursuit of rationality, order, and unified social values.
