I add weights to one end and the other, sometimes equal, sometimes unequal. (from Emile) c. 18th century

Editor: This etching by Jean-Louis Delignon, created around the late 18th century, is titled "I add weights to one end and the other, sometimes equal, sometimes unequal." It depicts two men using a chair as a fulcrum for what seems to be some sort of weightlifting activity. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The image resonates deeply with the Enlightenment's obsession with reason and control, particularly in the education of young men. Delignon presents a visual metaphor of power dynamics embedded within societal structures of the time. Do you notice the imbalance of power and the possible implications? Editor: I see one figure straining while the other seems to have more control. Is that maybe a comment on class? Curator: Precisely! This seemingly simple exercise embodies the unequal distribution of physical and social capital along class lines. The image serves as a powerful critique, questioning who holds the "weights" in society. Editor: That’s a powerful interpretation. I didn’t see that at first, but it really reframes how I look at the image. Curator: Indeed. Art offers continuous opportunities for social analysis and critical engagement.