Originals n.d.

This satirical print by J. Johnston, now at the Art Institute of Chicago, unveils a world of social commentary through its fashion-forward subjects. Note the elaborate headwear of the woman, a symbol of status and excess. It harkens back to the towering hairstyles of the French court, a visual echo of ambition and perhaps folly. The man, with his tightly wrapped cravat, recalls the dandyism seen across Europe. Yet, the exaggerated features transform these symbols of elegance into objects of ridicule. This distortion reminds us of the grotesque masks of ancient festivals, where caricature served to expose underlying truths about society. Consider how these exaggerated forms tap into a collective memory of social critique. The artist plays on our shared understanding of status symbols, twisting them to reveal the vanity and absurdity of those who pursue them. Like a recurring dream, these images of social satire reappear throughout history, each time adapting to reflect new anxieties and cultural shifts.