Mr. Belassis, I don't have my legs in my coat sleeves c. 19th century

Editor: This is a drawing by Paul Gavarni, titled "Mr. Belassis, I don't have my legs in my coat sleeves." It depicts a child and an adult on a sofa. I find the adult's expression very striking. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Gavarni’s work here, as part of his "Les Enfants Terribles" series, speaks to the societal expectations placed upon children and adults in 19th-century France. The child's assertive statement challenges the rigid power dynamics within the family. It makes us question the adult’s passive role and the child's attempt to subvert those hierarchies. Editor: So, it's a commentary on power? Curator: Exactly. Consider the child's language in the context of increasing industrialization, which changed childhood and gender roles. Gavarni captured the tensions of this historical moment. Editor: That’s a whole new perspective. I didn’t even consider that. Curator: Thinking about the social conditions shifts our understanding, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely. Thanks for pointing that out!