The Drawer 1831

Editor: Auguste Raffet’s print, simply titled "The Drawer," depicts a theatrical scene with distinct figures. There’s an air of satire about it, but I'm not entirely sure what's being satirized. What symbols are at play here? Curator: Notice the diminutive figure held aloft. It is a puppet, a symbol of manipulation and control. Consider the seated figure, clearly discomfited. What power dynamic might Raffet be suggesting? Does it remind you of other imagery? Editor: It makes me think of political cartoons where figures of authority are made small. Is that a similar function of the puppet here? Curator: Precisely. Raffet uses the puppet to expose the vulnerabilities and follies of power. The audience then becomes complicit observers, their reactions a mirror to our own engagement with political theatre. What do you think Raffet is trying to tell us? Editor: I now see how Raffet uses familiar symbols to question authority and the passive acceptance of the audience. Thanks!