Les Gourmands 1780 - 1820

This is an anonymous print called "Les Gourmands" currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The oval composition is structured around a table laden with food, where several figures are engrossed in eating. The artist uses line and form to create a sense of grotesque excess. Notice how the central figure’s bulging eyes and stuffed cheeks contrast with the surrounding servants offering more dishes. The lines are sharp and precise, delineating the textures of the food and clothing, enhancing the satirical nature of the piece. The arrangement of figures around the central gourmand creates a circular flow that traps the viewer in a space of never-ending consumption. This can be interpreted as a critique of social values, where the act of eating is elevated to a spectacle of greed. Consider how this structured composition underscores a commentary on the excesses of a particular time. Art like this invites a continuous dialogue about what we value and how we represent these values visually.