Hot Cockles 1829 - 1839

J.J. Grandville created this lithograph, "Hot Cockles," in the 19th century. The composition is organized around a central clearing where a bizarre social gathering unfolds, rendered with precise detail. The figures, a strange hybrid of human and animal forms, are depicted with meticulous crosshatching that creates depth and texture. Grandville destabilizes the natural order by conflating human and animal traits. The artist challenges our perceptions by disrupting conventional categories, inviting us to question the boundaries between species and the very nature of identity. The figures' exaggerated features, combined with their formal attire, suggest a satirical commentary on societal roles and behaviors. The overall effect is a blend of humor and unease, achieved through the artist's skillful manipulation of form and line. Note how Grandville uses the rigidity of printmaking to explore themes of fluidity and transformation, reflecting the broader cultural anxieties of his time.