A Fox Dressed as a Gentleman c. 1842

Editor: This drawing, attributed to Grandville, is called "A Fox Dressed as a Gentleman." The fox figure seems so meek, almost sad. What can you tell me about this type of representation? Curator: Caricatures of animals embodying human traits were a powerful form of social critique in the 19th century. Consider how Grandville uses this fox figure. What societal anxieties might this image reflect? Editor: Perhaps the perceived slyness and deception of the upper class? Curator: Exactly! The fox, traditionally seen as cunning, cleverly disguises itself, but remains inherently a fox. This work likely plays on fears about social mobility and the true nature of gentility. Editor: It is interesting how art can portray anxieties regarding social status! Curator: Indeed. The artwork's enduring power lies in its ability to reflect anxieties about authenticity and social pretense, issues that continue to resonate.