Dimensions: 11 3/4 × 9 1/16 in. (29.85 × 23.02 cm)
Copyright: No Copyright - United States
Curator: Here we have a magazine cover from France titled "Le Rire," dated February 24, 1906. Editor: Oh, my! The woman adjusting her, um, lower garments, seems unbothered by the fellow scrutinizing her! Talk about holding someone’s gaze… slightly naughty, isn't it? Curator: "Le Rire"—meaning "The Laughter"—was a popular satirical magazine, and this particular cover really exemplifies the Art Nouveau style with its focus on depicting modern life. The magazine was known for risqué jokes, light humor, and making fun of everything and everyone in society, which became immensely successful, running from 1894 to 1971. Editor: And successful it must have been if this scene is anything to go by! All the suggestive curves and caricatures have got me seeing a subtle story here – maybe a reflection of social hierarchy or expectations… or, perhaps, just an excuse to sell more copies. Curator: It certainly speaks to societal norms around gender, labor, and the act of looking. The artist depicts not just an intimate scene but a power dynamic tied to the consumption of visual media. Look how the image's material production allows for such widespread circulation. Editor: Right! And given it's print—probably made to be affordable—this potentially scandalous content reaches more of the general public. Imagine picking this up at a Parisian kiosk back then! Was this cheeky humor common back then? What effect did it have on shaping everyday conversation around that time? What was it like to touch and turn this thin paper with such a vibrant print in 1906?! It’s really interesting, no? Curator: Absolutely. And understanding the processes of creating art, whether painting or this form of magazine print, requires us to unpack how materials like inks and papers contribute meanings as cultural and economic products within society. Editor: Precisely! In the end, "Le Rire" and similar media probably had a lasting influence in breaking away from a rigid idea of art; they brought a spark of laughter to the everyday, inviting us to not to take everything too seriously.
Comments
Le Rire was a weekly satirical magazine published in Paris from 1894 to the 1950s. Many artists contributed cartoons. These same artists often worked in other modes, such as poster design, fine art prints, or fashion illustration as seen in their other works in Mia’s collection. Many of the illustrations display the graceful lines and flat (Japonesque) coloration of Art Nouveau, but other, often much edgier, styles appear, too. The works touch on many themes: politics, social mores, class, sex, war, entertainment, work, national identity, and much more. One might think of Le Rire as an equivalent to today’s late-night TV talk shows.
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