The Archbishop Has Always Been a Joker 1831

Curator: Auguste Raffet, born in 1804, created this print titled "The Archbishop Has Always Been a Joker," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, wow, what a lively scene! There's such an exuberance and chaotic energy to it. A real sense of mischievousness, wouldn't you say? Curator: Absolutely. Lithography, the printmaking process, allowed for the mass production of such images. It's a commentary on power, poking fun at authority figures during a period of social upheaval. Editor: I love the way Raffet captures the tension in the room. One figure holds aloft what looks like undergarments—such a childish prank, yet full of rebellious spirit. Curator: Indeed. It’s a window into the material culture of the time—the uniforms, the discarded papers, the crowded room. Editor: The work invites you to imagine the stories behind the faces, the sounds of the commotion. Curator: It's more than just the artistry, but a record of the means and methods used to question established order. Editor: I find that the picture speaks to the rebel in me! Curator: It provides a fascinating glimpse into past socio-political dynamics.