Following the Devil's Procession c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Following the Devil's Procession" by Paul Gavarni. It's a pen and ink wash drawing. It feels like a chaotic scene, like a snapshot of a bizarre parade. What do you see in this piece that I might be missing? Curator: Well, consider Gavarni's context. He was a satirist, deeply engaged with Parisian society. This procession, with its exaggerated figures, is likely a commentary on the follies and vanities of the time. Editor: So, it's not literally a devil's procession? Curator: Probably not. More likely, it's Gavarni's way of depicting the "devils" of society: greed, ambition, perhaps even fleeting trends. It speaks to the politics of imagery in 19th-century France. Editor: That's fascinating. I see it now, that knowing the period really unlocks the meaning. Curator: Exactly. Understanding the historical context helps us understand the artist's intention and the work's resonance.