Paris, The great Art exhibition: In the Great Salon, A moment of reflection Possibly 1868 - 1920

Curator: Oh my! What a marvelous scene of, I suppose, collective boredom! It looks almost like performance art. Editor: Indeed. What we see here is a print on paper – a drawing, actually, made by the French artist Etienne Carjat titled "Paris, The great Art exhibition: In the Great Salon, A moment of reflection." The work resides here at The Art Institute of Chicago. Its creation is a bit of a mystery; the date is listed as "Possibly 1868-1920." It gives an impression of the art world, its reception... Curator: And lack thereof! The sheer disinterest in their posture is amazing. This engraving just oozes that peculiar ennui particular to wealthy patrons, and maybe all of us to some degree in institutions. There is also a striking focus on social status. Notice the men in top hats and what appears to be a fashionable woman seated in the middle of the picture. This is perhaps a depiction of the constraints and expectations of their era? Editor: Absolutely, the art world can be exclusionary, both through social status and academic expectation. Their physical positions within this scene—how some figures are further back or leaning into one another—also creates interesting social hierarchies. I wonder what sort of history the piece alludes to... France during that period faced numerous revolutions, shifting politics and culture. Did this environment affect the artistic expressions, perhaps inviting reflection? Curator: Well, in any case, their expressions...or lack of, speak volumes. They mirror what the actual art is. You wonder what grand narratives the paintings in the gallery supposedly illustrate above them. You can almost feel how stuffy the gallery is, filled with so many patrons there perhaps for reputation only. Even art that is supposed to awaken them, renders them powerless... or maybe a simple form of exhausted protest in a controlled environment! Editor: Perhaps we are seeing an exhaustion born of privilege, perhaps even the silent dissatisfaction that simmers beneath gilded surfaces. Who knows? But seeing those heavy, drooping figures really stirs up my soul and, in truth, also gives me comfort, and humor, as it's wonderful. It inspires me and allows me to confront uncomfortable realities, all with art as my companion. Curator: For me, this artwork reflects back on what and who art institutions have traditionally valorized and calls for us to think more about whose stories, feelings, expressions are excluded and to address power structures as it depicts here. Editor: Quite the poignant moment caught with simple lines and shadows! Thank you.