Le Supreme Bon Ton, Le Thermomètre à 8 degrés, 1800-1815, No. 20: Aye qu'il fait froid. 1800 - 1815

Curator: This etching, "Le Suprême Bon Ton, Le Thermomètre à 8 degrés" from the Rijksmuseum collection, gives us a glimpse into French society between 1800 and 1815. Notice how the anonymous artist employs etching, a process of using acid to create detailed lines. Editor: Oh, the agony of 8 degrees! What strikes me immediately is the frozen tableau and the way it captures a perfect storm of discomfort. It's theatrical, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Definitely! The artist seems to be playing with contrasts. We have the purported elegance of "le bon ton" or good taste, set against the biting chill implied in the title. The very material of the print allows for the mass dissemination of this social critique, bringing what was usually a spectacle confined to private salons into the public sphere. Editor: Exactly, it’s a frozen-in-place satire. Look at the fellow by the fire, trying so desperately to stay warm – his suffering is almost comical. He reminds me of myself when I face winter’s wrath, honestly. But beyond the humor, I wonder what this piece reveals about the values, or anxieties, of the time? Curator: The Neoclassical elements – the linear perspective and restrained palette, contribute to a sense of order even amidst the caricature. The production of such prints highlights a burgeoning culture of consumerism and satire. It’s both a product and a critique of its own moment. Editor: Perhaps it speaks to a societal performance – the “bon ton” facade versus the unglamorous reality of physical discomfort. I appreciate the vulnerability that emerges from behind the grand appearances and, really, the utter absurdity of it all. We parade these societal notions while our feet are ice. Curator: Right. Through careful examination, we uncover more than just frozen toes; we see how cultural anxieties and social critiques could be circulated as commodities during the rise of print culture. Editor: Well said! This little slice of satirical life from the Rijksmuseum reminds us to perhaps question the status and search out the humor in those frozen moments of everyday absurdity. Let's move on before I catch a chill!