You Are Quite Slow, Young Man 1835

Editor: This is "You Are Quite Slow, Young Man," a lithograph by Auguste Raffet. The stark contrast really emphasizes the shock on the young man's face as he encounters a skeleton. What social commentary do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the context of 19th-century France. Raffet critiques societal inequalities, portraying death as an unwelcome, yet inevitable, visitor regardless of social class. Does the man's attire suggest anything about his position? Editor: He seems middle class, maybe? So, death isn't just for the poor? Curator: Precisely! Raffet uses humor to address anxieties about mortality and social mobility, reminding viewers of their shared fate. It challenges idealized notions of progress. Editor: I see it now! It's less about the individual and more about the collective awareness of death, regardless of status. Curator: Exactly. By placing this scene in what appears to be a public space, Raffet amplifies its universal message.