LSE4113057 Image representing the ???uarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns?? a literary polemic born at the French Academy. Nicolas Boileau was the leader of the Ancients, 17th century. Engraving of the 19th century. by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Image representing the ???uarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns?? a literary polemic born at the French Academy. Nicolas Boileau was the leader of the Ancients, 17th century. Engraving of the 19th century.); Photo by Leonard de Selva; out of copyright.