A Meal of the People's Representative 1832

Curator: This is Auguste Raffet’s satirical lithograph, "A Meal of the People's Representative." Editor: It feels instantly critical, doesn't it? The table groans under the weight of… well, excess. The figures have an air of discomfort. Curator: Raffet’s critique targets the bourgeoisification of the French political class post-revolution. Note the representative stuffing his face while the people seemingly look on. Editor: There's a real sense of alienation. The composition is almost claustrophobic, emphasizing the emotional distance between the "representative" and those he supposedly serves. Curator: Exactly. The work speaks volumes about the corruption of power and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. It's a commentary on social class disparity. Editor: I see it too. The more I look, the more Raffet's cynicism shines through. It makes me wonder, how much has really changed since then?