Witches 1900

Editor: This is "Witches," a lithograph on paper by Jean Veber, made around 1900. The image is dominated by two nude women seemingly flying on a broomstick. The whole thing feels... satirical, somehow. What jumps out at you about it? Curator: What immediately grabs my attention is the socio-political undercurrent beneath the seemingly fantastical imagery. Veber was working during a period of intense social change, particularly concerning women's roles. The figure of the "witch" has long been used to demonize women who challenged social norms, right? Editor: Right, I see that, it could be about those anxieties? Curator: Exactly. The choice to depict them as nude and seemingly joyful in their freedom challenges the traditional, fearful representation of witches. But look closer – what about the two figures on the bicycle in the bottom corner? What do you make of that? Editor: They seem… insignificant? Almost like they're being mocked, like these powerful figures just flew in front of them Curator: Precisely! Consider how Veber uses scale and placement to comment on the established social order. The small, formally dressed men on the tandem bicycle represent the traditional power structures, dwarfed by these liberated women. This challenges us to consider who is really in control and the anxieties that provoked. It subtly subverts the notion of female power as inherently evil or dangerous. What did you learn? Editor: That considering the historical context adds so much. This print’s not just a strange, alluring fantasy; it's a political statement. Curator: Exactly!