The Verdict of Paris c. 19th century

Curator: This is an anonymous print titled "The Verdict of Paris", a rather biting caricature inspired by magazines like Punch. It's currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, it’s savage! I love the way the artist exaggerates the features. It's like they're skewering the vanity fair of the day, the elite classes. Curator: Exactly! The material suggests cheap newsprint, making it easily reproducible for mass consumption. It's visual satire intended for quick, widespread dissemination. Editor: There's a real political edge to it. Who are these figures, do we know? Curator: Identifying the exact subjects is tricky, but the piece plays into the classical myth while lampooning contemporary figures and their power dynamics. Editor: A calculated dance of power and aesthetics, cheaply made, widely distributed—a challenge to the elite on their own terms. I find it endlessly fascinating. Curator: Indeed. It's a reminder that even simple materials can carry sharp commentary.