Untitled (Costume study) c. 19th century

This is an untitled costume study made in pencil on paper by Alfred Grévin. Born in France, Grévin was a caricaturist, sculptor, and costume designer for the theatre. It's the latter that seems most relevant here. The study is a glimpse into the cultural and theatrical world of 19th-century France, an era marked by grand spectacle and burgeoning entertainment industries. We see a military figure alongside some characters that seem to be inspired by mythology. These drawings are visual codes that reflect the artistic, literary, and social trends of the time. The work may comment on the social structures of its own time and be self-consciously conservative or progressive. To understand this work better, we might delve into the archives of French theatre, exploring costume designs and playbills from the era. This would allow us to understand how the institutions of the theatre shaped the production of the arts. Ultimately, this gives us insight into the meaning of art as something contingent on social and institutional context.