Gazette du Bon Ton, 1920 - No. 6 : Remords / Costume de Chasse 1920

Editor: This is Maurice Leroy’s "Gazette du Bon Ton, 1920 - No. 6: Remords / Costume de Chasse" from 1920. The stark contrast and limited palette create a powerful emotional resonance; what immediately grabs my attention is the title paired with the image – the hunter seems devastated. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I’m drawn to the title, "Remorse." It highlights a shift in the hunter’s symbolic role. Typically, a hunter represents mastery over nature. But here, the hunched posture, averted gaze, and limp bird speak of something deeper, a dissonance. What symbols of regret do you notice? Editor: I guess it's in how the figure is presented - so deflated, but still adorned in all his hunting attire. I see the small figure behind him as almost comical; does this suggest a satirical take on traditional hunting culture? Curator: Potentially, but let's dig deeper. The circular patterns surrounding the figures; might those suggest entrapment, a cyclical guilt? The symbol of the hunt itself is interesting; the hunter looks like he feels shame. He has taken the life, but perhaps without respect or understanding. Does that change how you interpret the accompanying figure behind him? Editor: I think so...perhaps the second figure isn’t just a comical element. He almost represents a younger, past version of the main hunter; that remorse comes from a loss of innocence. Curator: Exactly. Visual culture often reflects evolving ethical and cultural perspectives. We can see that past, present, and possible futures exist together and simultaneously change over time. Editor: It’s incredible how an image from over a century ago can still make you consider the weight of your actions today.