At the Universal Exhibition: The producer of felt hats. Here you can see a live rabbit, which I will dump into the machine like that….. Possibly 1867 - 1920

Charles Maurand created this lithograph titled 'At the Universal Exhibition' in the 19th century. It captures a live demonstration at what was essentially a world’s fair of industrialism. The print depicts a man about to feed a live rabbit into a hat-making machine. What could be read as an absurd, perhaps comical scene, also reveals a darker commentary on industrialization. The faces of the onlookers express a mix of shock and morbid fascination. The use of animals as machines mirrors the dehumanizing effects of mass production on workers. Maurand exposes the hidden costs of progress. The personal is erased, replaced by the spectacle of production. The emotional impact is sharp: we are confronted with the violence inherent in technological advancement. Maurand challenges us to consider what is sacrificed in the name of progress, reminding us that behind every innovation there are ethical questions.