The Injured Count. S- 1786

Curator: This is James Gillray's "The Injured Count. S-," a satirical print, likely from the late 18th or early 19th century, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. What's your initial take? Editor: Chaotic! Feels like a boisterous party gone wrong. All that ink...it practically vibrates with excess. Curator: Gillray was a master of social commentary. The print critiques societal figures, pointing to the decadence and moral failings within the aristocracy. Editor: Look at the grotesque caricatures! It’s so over-the-top, almost theatrical. Like a scene from a rowdy play. Curator: Exactly! The figures symbolize corruption and exploitation, reflecting anxieties around class and power structures of the time. Editor: It's fascinating how Gillray captures a mood with just lines and shading. Makes you wonder what scandals fueled this piece. Curator: A potent reminder that art serves as a mirror, reflecting and challenging the norms of its time. Editor: And sometimes, even making us laugh uncomfortably at ourselves.