Ragotin lie par les parents du fou 1727

Jean-Baptiste Oudry created this drawing, titled 'Ragotin lie par les parents du fou', using black and white chalk on gray paper. Dating back to the 18th century, this artwork provides a glimpse into historical attitudes towards disability and social status. The image depicts a scene of humiliation and constraint, reflecting prevailing beliefs about controlling those deemed 'mad' or 'foolish' and those lower in social ranking. The body is vulnerable. Oudry's choice of medium, chalk on gray paper, softens what could have been a more stark rendering of violence. The figures blend into the landscape, suggesting how these practices were normalized. How does Oudry’s piece negotiate these ideas of class, power, and the concept of madness that was prevalent during his time?