Untitled, plate from Je regardais et je vis... 1896

Editor: This lithograph, titled "Untitled, plate from Je regardais et je vis..." created in 1896 by Jean Caldain and currently residing in The Art Institute of Chicago, is incredibly striking. The dark, brooding imagery creates a real sense of unease. What stands out to you most about this piece? Curator: It's a fascinating work that really speaks to the fin-de-siècle anxieties prevalent in late 19th century France. Notice the grotesque imagery, combining the erotic and the macabre, a visual language symptomatic of the era. Editor: Grotesque is the word! How would you unpack that? Curator: Well, considering the social and political turmoil of the time, the rapid industrialization and shifting class structures, these anxieties often manifested in art that challenged traditional notions of beauty and morality. How do you think the use of printmaking, as a medium, contributes to the understanding of its context? Editor: I guess printmaking made art more accessible. Was Caldain trying to shock a wider audience? Curator: Precisely. The affordability and reproducibility of lithographs meant that artists could circulate their ideas, however controversial, much more broadly than with painting alone. So, in essence, Caldain could engage in a direct dialogue, or rather a visual provocation, with the public sphere regarding anxieties surrounding societal change and repressed desires. Is there anything else about the cultural context that interests you in relation to the imagery in this work? Editor: The themes of death and sexuality certainly seem to rebel against the more traditional art academies, right? Thank you, that's a very interesting insight into the period and the artist's intention! Curator: Absolutely! Considering the period allows for a richer understanding and allows for continuous discussion surrounding these taboo ideas in history.