Penitence 1834

Editor: This is "Penitence," a coloured pencil and print by J. J. Grandville, created in 1834. There's such an odd juxtaposition here, with the skeletal figure standing by the door and the presumably wealthy gentleman reclining. What strikes me most is the commentary on class and mortality – how would you interpret this piece? Curator: I see it as a sharp materialist critique. Consider the means of production. It’s a print, likely intended for wide distribution. The colored pencil adds a touch of refinement, yet it's reproduced, democratized. This piece speaks to the rising bourgeoisie in 19th century France. What do the figure's clothes say to you about consumerism? Editor: They highlight his affluence - that bright yellow robe seems to scream indulgence, standing in contrast to the figure of Death, who, quite ironically, looks rather drab. Curator: Precisely! Grandville challenges the notion that material wealth can shield one from the inevitable. It's not just about death as a great leveller, but also about exposing the shallow values of a society fixated on accumulation and luxury. What about the choice to make it a print instead of painting it? Editor: Ah, so he makes a work *about* materialism using a *materially* accessible medium! The printmaking enables mass production. I guess it invites widespread consumption *of* a criticism *of* consumption. It sort of multiplies and ironically participates in what it critiques. I hadn't considered that angle before. Curator: Exactly. By examining the labor involved, the consumption encouraged, and the materiality of the artwork itself, we see Grandville offering a potent commentary on his time. Editor: I see, so understanding how it was made and for whom really unlocks its meaning. Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!