The Delights of a Tabagie c. 18th century

Curator: This is Dominique Sornique’s, “The Delights of a Tabagie.” Editor: It feels like a snapshot into another world. A very smoky world. The etching feels intimate, crowded, and a little secretive. Curator: It depicts a tobacco den. Notice how the artist uses the figures to create a sense of immersion. The imagery suggests a gathering around ritual, perhaps even a rebellion against social norms. Editor: Yes! The pipe is a powerful symbol of communion, a shared experience outside the strictures of society. Do you think the illegibility of the plate's inscription adds to the air of mystery? Curator: Undoubtedly. Sornique captures the essence of social spaces, and the politics of imagery surrounding leisure. There is something human and vulnerable, caught in the smoke filled room. Editor: Absolutely. It’s a glimpse into a moment of shared humanity, elevated by its depiction.