1884
Mon oncle le jurisconsulte
Edmond Picard
1836 - 1924Location
RijksmuseumListen to curator's interpretation
Curatorial notes
This is a copy of "Mon oncle le jurisconsulte" by Edmond Picard, printed in 1884. Picard was a Belgian lawyer, writer, and fervent advocate for social reform. Reflecting on Picard's world, we can consider how access to legal education and professions like law were often limited by social class and gender. Law, then as now, was a gatekeeping profession. Picard, born into a time of rapid social change, navigated these complexities. His writings often depict scenes from judicial life, offering glimpses into the social dynamics of the courtroom. "My uncle, the legal expert," suggests a personal lens through which Picard examined the legal world, perhaps hinting at family influences or personal experiences that shaped his views on justice and society. Picard's unique position allowed him to dissect the intricacies of power and privilege in the late 19th century, offering a critical commentary on society through the narrative of law.