My aunt Amelia says you're really nice; it's too bad you're so silly. c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have a print by Paul Gavarni, "My aunt Amelia says you're really nice; it's too bad you're so silly." The figures seem frozen, caught in a rather uncomfortable moment. What do you see in it? Curator: Gavarni was a master of social commentary. This print, likely appearing in a journal, reflects the societal pressures of 19th-century France. Note how the composition positions the man and girl in a confined space, hinting at the restricted roles within bourgeois society. Editor: Restricted roles? Curator: Indeed. Consider how the title juxtaposes "nice" with "silly." It suggests the expectations placed on individuals, especially women, to conform to certain behaviors and maintain specific social standing. Editor: So the humor has a critical edge. I’ll remember that.