The Role: See, the inhuman tide has left nothing for us c. 19th century

Editor: So, this print is by Paul Gavarni, it's called "The Role: See, the inhuman tide has left nothing for us," and it's at the Harvard Art Museums. I find it immediately melancholic. What do you see in it? Curator: Gavarni often used his art to critique social structures. This image likely reflects the limited options available to women in 19th-century society. Consider the title itself, "The Role" - what societal expectations might she be grappling with? Editor: Maybe she's trapped by societal expectations? I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Precisely. The woman's posture, her downcast gaze, they speak to the oppressive atmosphere. And what role does the older woman serve, do you think? Editor: Perhaps she represents the older generation, enforcing those societal constraints. It’s interesting how a single image can reveal so much about its time. Curator: Indeed. Art often holds a mirror to the power dynamics and social realities of its context.