"The Big Orgy" from The Complete Works of Béranger 1836

J. J. Grandville created "The Big Orgy" from The Complete Works of Béranger as an engraving on a sheet of paper. The scene's frenetic energy is immediately apparent, rendered through dense, intricate lines that create a sense of chaotic movement. Grandville uses the graphic language of caricature to critique social mores. Look at how the composition is structured to suggest a world turned upside down, with figures tumbling over one another amidst spilled wine and broken furniture. The use of line is particularly striking, varying from delicate hatches to bold strokes, which creates depth and texture and underscores the unruly nature of the depicted orgy. The print destabilizes traditional notions of order and decorum, reflecting the broader social and political upheavals of the 19th century. Notice how this formal arrangement challenges fixed meanings. The engraving becomes not just an aesthetic object but a cultural artifact, inviting ongoing interpretation.