Cardinal, Reading a Letter 

Jehan Georges Vibert painted "Cardinal, Reading a Letter," a cheeky oil on panel, in the late 19th century. Vibert, who abandoned his academic training early on, spent much of his career painting scenes which mock the clergy. In post-revolutionary France, the Catholic church still held considerable political power. The prevailing belief was that it had close ties to the monarchy. Vibert's paintings tapped into a broader skepticism towards the church. The artist challenges the conventional, pious representations of religious figures. He reveals a different narrative. Instead of focusing on their spiritual duties, he depicts them as flawed, human characters. Here we see a cardinal, a high-ranking member of the Catholic Church, gleefully reading a letter. His face is full of delight as he holds a walking stick in his hand. Vibert’s work reflects and shapes societal attitudes towards power, while inviting us to consider the complex relationship between faith, authority, and the human condition.