Stop, you wretch!! That's my aunt!! c. 19th century

Editor: This is a print by Paul Gavarni, and the inscription reads, "Stop, you wretch!! That's my aunt!!" What strikes me is the sense of social satire. What do you see in it? Curator: It's a glimpse into 19th-century Parisian life, isn’t it? We have to consider the power dynamics at play. The aunt figure, likely a symbol of bourgeois morality, is being "protected." Editor: So, you're saying the humor comes from subverting those expectations? Curator: Exactly. Gavarni often critiqued the social norms of his time. Consider how gender and class intersect here. Who is being protected, and from what? Editor: It's fascinating how much can be unpacked from a seemingly simple scene. Curator: Indeed. Art is always in dialogue with its context, challenging or reinforcing its values.