Hello My Nephew... 1837

Curator: Auguste Raffet created this print, titled “Hello My Nephew…”, sometime between 1804 and 1860. It presents a scene of polite society, etched with incredible detail. What’s your immediate take? Editor: The whole scene feels staged somehow, like a theater backdrop. Those figures in the background all in a row, the child holding his stick, it's almost too perfectly composed. Curator: Well, consider how social rituals play out. Raffet captures a specific form of greeting, laden with expectations and unspoken rules. Editor: The man's hat! It’s practically screaming wealth and status. And that reminds me of how head coverings have signaled identity for centuries. It's fascinating how the subtlest gestures, like a hat tip, carry so much weight. Curator: It is the artist's skill in portraying these gestures with such clarity and detail that brings it all to life. Editor: Absolutely. Raffet uses the symbolism of the greeting to talk about power, class, and the performance of social roles. This moment ripples with meaning. Curator: It's a reminder that social interactions are rarely as simple as they appear. Editor: Indeed, something to think about next time you meet a nephew – or anyone else!