Blind Man's Buff 1829 - 1839

J. J. Grandville created this print of "Blind Man's Buff" using lithography in 19th-century France. But look closely: the artist satirizes social conventions by depicting people with animal heads. The image reflects the social structures of its time. France had only recently been through revolution, and was still negotiating the complex legacies of aristocratic privilege and bourgeois culture. Grandville here critiques the institutions of art by using popular imagery to comment on the social hierarchy. The animal heads could be a reference to the zoological studies popular at the time. Consider how geography or political movements might have influenced Grandville. To understand Grandville's motivations better, we can use resources such as historical archives, critical essays, and biographies. By understanding the social and institutional context, we can gain a greater appreciation for the role of the artist as a social commentator.