Pretty woman! . . . Is she a princess? She's a hussy. c. 19th century

Curator: I'm struck by the overt class commentary in Paul Gavarni's print, titled "Pretty woman! . . . Is she a princess? She's a hussy." The artist, born in 1804, clearly uses caricature to depict social perceptions of women. Editor: It feels like a very uncomfortable, judgmental scene. The body language of the man whispering is invasive, and the other man’s expression seems pained or disgusted. There's so much coded language here. Curator: The inscription’s phrases reveal assumptions about beauty, class, and morality that persist even now. The "hussy" label immediately negates any notion of princess-like qualities, doesn't it? This tension is central to Gavarni's work. Editor: Absolutely. And the contrast in their appearances – one almost gleeful, the other dour – highlights how these labels are often wielded to maintain power. I can see how this reflects the anxieties of the time. Curator: The print is a visual record of societal judgment, rendered in a way that implicates us as viewers, forcing us to confront those enduring biases. Editor: It reminds me that visual culture is not just about aesthetics; it’s about power dynamics and the perpetuation of stereotypes. It’s a challenging piece.