The Scene with the Tall Baguenodière 1726 - 1727

Editor: Here we have Jean-Baptiste Oudry’s “The Scene with the Tall Baguenodière,” an ink drawing from 1726 or 1727. It seems to depict a chaotic theatre scene, almost a snapshot of unruly audience behaviour. What do you make of this, particularly from a historical viewpoint? Curator: It’s fascinating to see the theatre not just as a stage for performance, but as a social space, wouldn’t you agree? Oudry captures, with a sharp satirical eye, the often-overlooked dynamic between the play and its reception. The drawing serves almost as a documentary. Notice how the stage performance appears secondary to the activities in the audience. What does this tell us about the function of theatre at the time? Editor: It suggests that theatre-going was less about respectful viewing and more about socialising, or even disrupting! Curator: Exactly. Think about the rise of celebrity culture, or indeed the role of powerful patrons, back then. Who are they really performing for? And consider how access to theatre spaces reflected societal hierarchies, as visible in the architecture of the venue, or through things like balcony seats and floor seating that indicated a strict delineation by class. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. It's easy to forget that art isn't created in a vacuum. I’d never thought about art consumption in quite that way. Curator: Oudry highlights these dynamics. It also encourages reflection on art’s public role, even today, in how audiences interpret and interact with the art they encounter. Seeing this has made me think more about current issues with theatre accessibility in underrepresented areas. Editor: Me too, thanks! I definitely see this work in a whole new light.