WHAT'S SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE 

Editor: This drawing, called "WHAT'S SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE," is made with pen and ink. It features two men in what appears to be a train setting. There's a clear difference in their attire and the space they occupy. I am struck by the density of the lines; they create so much texture. How do you read this piece, considering its potential historical context? Curator: Given the density and starkness of the pen and ink, my initial read aligns with its possible socio-political messaging. How do you perceive the relationship between the two men and what message do you think the artist tries to communicate to its public? Editor: It feels like a commentary on class differences, maybe even a subtle critique. The well-dressed man smoking a pipe contrasts sharply with the other man in the window. I wonder if it's connected to Victorian social structures and public behavior? Curator: Precisely! This imagery directly engages with the visual vocabulary that would resonate with the public of the era. Artists frequently employed these contrasts to provoke discussion. What assumptions do you think an audience from that period might have made upon viewing this drawing and how does their interpretation shape meaning? Editor: Perhaps they would see it as a condemnation of the privileged class’s insensitivity toward working-class men and public opinion about their own conditions of the society in Victorian England? Curator: Exactly. Its composition directs viewers towards the possible intention of the artist. In examining the interplay of these images, we uncover their social and political resonances and the crucial public role such artwork played. Thank you for guiding the public on this social commentary reflected by a work of art! Editor: This perspective has expanded my view; I appreciate your highlighting the importance of social context. It highlights the real influence of the era when assessing works of art like this.