Decidely, my dear friend, you do not stand in the corner by force . . . c. 19th century

Editor: This print, "Decidely, my dear friend, you do not stand in the corner by force . . .," by Paul Gavarni, shows three figures in what seems like a tense domestic scene. The expressions are so telling. What symbols resonate with you most strongly in this work? Curator: The title itself is rich. Standing in a corner often implies shame or punishment. Gavarni uses this seemingly forced domesticity, a child leaning on the table, to hint at underlying tensions. Note how the light falls – or doesn't – on each figure. Editor: That’s a great point about the lighting, it seems very intentional. Curator: Indeed. And consider the cultural memory: the rise of the bourgeoisie, the emphasis on domestic order, and the anxieties surrounding childhood. The child's posture is not relaxed; it’s a performance. Doesn't it make you wonder about the narratives we construct around family? Editor: Absolutely. It's fascinating how much history and psychology can be packed into one image. Thanks for illuminating that for me!