Study for "Gil Blas and the Archbishop" (from Sketchbook) 1835 - 1839

Francis William Edmonds made this study in pencil for "Gil Blas and the Archbishop." Edmonds was an American artist interested in themes of everyday life and social commentary. The drawing depicts a scene from Alain-René Lesage's novel, "Gil Blas," where the protagonist, a young servant, finds himself in the service of a wealthy and pompous archbishop. The archbishop asks Gil Blas for his honest opinion of his sermons. When Gil Blas obliges, the archbishop dismisses him. Made in the 19th century, the drawing reflects the values of the rising middle class in America, and the skepticism towards the traditional institutions. By consulting literary sources, historical documents, and studies of 19th-century American culture, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artwork's social and institutional context, revealing the complex relationship between art and society.