The Judge (The Broken Jug) c. 18th century

Editor: This is Jean Jacques Leveau’s "The Judge (The Broken Jug)." It's a print, and I find the composition really fascinating. It’s almost like a stage. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Note how the composition is divided, almost like the scales of justice. On one side, the judge and his court, symbols of established order. On the other, the figures are blurred, suggesting a world beyond legal pronouncements. Editor: That's a great point, I didn't see it like that. Now, the jug makes sense! Curator: Yes, it is no longer just a "broken jug", but more of a symbol of shattered innocence, or perhaps a disrupted social order. Now, does this change your initial reaction? Editor: Absolutely! I see a story about more than just the law. Curator: Exactly! And that's the power of symbols—they hold layers of meaning across time.