Fotoreproductie van een verjaardagskaart door Randolph Caldecott, voortellend een man met een grote anjer in zijn hand before 1887

Editor: So, here we have a photo reproduction of Randolph Caldecott’s birthday card, likely before 1887. It’s ink on paper, a drawing really, depicting a man with an oversized carnation. It strikes me as quite whimsical, almost theatrical. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the surface-level whimsy, I see a fascinating commentary on class and performativity. Consider the “Lilliputian figure” described—his clothing, the "old-fashioned green coat, with white frill and periwig,” are signifiers of a particular social class, mimicking aristocratic fashion. How does the scale of the carnation, obscuring his form, skew our perception of that identity? Editor: Well, it makes him seem less serious, perhaps. Almost comical, in contrast to the finery of his clothes. Curator: Exactly! Caldecott seems to be critiquing the artificiality of societal roles. This exaggerated floral gift, dwarfing the giver, what could this act of supposed generosity really mask? Editor: So it is an almost sardonic statement about superficial displays of affection? Curator: Precisely! It questions what these presentations actually communicate and if those are truly felt. How might Caldecott use such a humorous depiction to subvert expected narratives around class and gifting? Do you consider the social context of birthday celebrations for children here? Editor: That makes so much sense! I hadn't considered that reading, it's really insightful to place the image within its socio-historical framework. I will now definitely question assumed traditions, especially those which carry implicit hierarchies. Curator: I am very happy that you’re now approaching things with new insights and concerns. This understanding provides us new tools to question similar dynamics operating in the art we see everyday.