Post Meridies, from the Hours of the Day 1736 - 1745

Editor: So, this is "Post Meridies, from the Hours of the Day" by Jean Mondon le fils, made sometime between 1736 and 1745. It's an engraving, full of swirling detail. The whole thing feels very… staged, like a scene from a play. What do you make of it? Curator: "Staged" is a wonderful way to put it. It feels like a dream, doesn't it? A whimsical garden party viewed through a very ornate looking glass. Imagine yourself stumbling upon this scene…what intrigues you the most? Editor: I guess the contrast between the formality of the garden and the casual behavior of the people. It's like they're trying to be relaxed, but they're still very aware of being watched or judged. Curator: Precisely! Mondon captures the playful artifice of the French Rococo period. It's about beauty, leisure, and the theater of everyday life. It's also, subtly, poking fun at the very people enjoying this lifestyle. Notice how almost every figure is caught in a moment of either idleness or flirtation… do you think that carries significance? Editor: Maybe it’s saying something about the aristocracy being out of touch, preoccupied with trivial things? Curator: Exactly! It’s a delightful critique wrapped in an equally delightful package. Editor: I never would have guessed it was satire! I was too busy getting lost in all the fancy scrollwork. Curator: That’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? It seduces you with its elegance before whispering its secrets. Editor: Well, now I'll never look at another frilly drawing the same way again! Thanks!