"What's that noise? and what does this scoundrel want?" from Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals 1832 - 1852

This lithograph, “What's that noise? and what does this scoundrel want?” was made by J.J. Grandville, one of the most celebrated French illustrators of the 19th century. It’s one of many satirical prints from his series, "Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals." Here, Grandville creates meaning through visual codes that would be very familiar to his French audience. By depicting humans as animals, the artist critiques the social structures of his time. This image presents us with a wealthy, sleeping bear, indifferent to a group of mice seeking charity. We see the politics of imagery at play, with the artist using satire to highlight the indifference of the upper classes to the plight of the poor. Understanding Grandville's work requires us to delve into the social conditions that shaped artistic production in 19th-century France. Consulting historical sources and studies on French social satire helps us grasp the full meaning of this seemingly simple illustration. It is through this combination of visual analysis and historical context that we truly appreciate the public role of art.