Mama says that you know all Punch's secrets, Mr. d'Alby . . . c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Paul Gavarni's drawing, "Mama says that you know all Punch's secrets, Mr. d'Alby . . .," part of his series "Les Enfants Terribles." Editor: It has a delicate yet haunting feel. The etching work emphasizes the contours, and the light seems to be coming from nowhere and everywhere at once. Curator: Absolutely. Gavarni, working in 19th-century Paris, was keenly interested in the social dynamics of class and childhood, particularly through the lens of popular entertainment like Punch and Judy shows. Editor: You can see it in the way the child is holding the Punch puppet. It speaks to the accessibility of the show and the labor of its creation; the means of production are right there in the child's hands. Curator: And the child's pointed question! It highlights the complex relationship between adults, children, and the morality encoded within these often-satirical performances. It's a powerful critique. Editor: A world of stories in simple marks and figures. The materiality of ink and paper reveals a hidden world. Curator: Indeed, a reminder of how visual culture shapes and is shaped by our understanding of social life.