A little accident 

Editor: Here we have Léon Bonnat’s "A Little Accident," painted in oil. There’s a girl, maybe seven or eight, and it looks like she’s broken something. I'm struck by the way the artist portrays everyday life; what can you tell me about this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating how Bonnat depicts labor through the lens of childhood. The shattered pottery on the floor immediately directs our attention to the means of production that are disrupted. Note the materiality of the girl’s apron, presumably handmade, which provides insight into textile production of the time and social class. The ‘accident’ is actually revealing the undercurrent of social realities embedded within material culture. What does that accident suggest about labor itself? Editor: I suppose that accidents and errors, such as breaking the pot, are inherent to the process of creating things by hand. Curator: Precisely! Consider the social context of the painting too. In a society increasingly driven by industrial means, the portrayal of an ‘accident’ involving handmade objects could subtly underscore concerns about craftsmanship being replaced by industrial production and alienation of the worker. The imperfections inherent in craft versus the uniformity sought in mechanized manufacturing, for example. Editor: So it is not just an isolated incident, but possibly a comment on broader societal anxieties around labor? I am getting an appreciation of the artist focusing on the everyday life that can allude to the larger economic changes that are in the backdrop. Curator: Yes, and the seemingly innocent act of ‘accident’ is laden with layers that point towards consumption, craft and societal production means! Editor: This makes me realize I have a lot more to learn. Thanks for sharing such unique ideas. Curator: The delight is all mine. There's always more to explore.