Plate 8: Bertoldino, enraged by the croaking frogs, throws his strongbox into the fish pond, from "Bertoldo, Bertoldino, and Cacasenno" 1705 - 1715

Editor: This etching, "Plate 8: Bertoldino, enraged by the croaking frogs, throws his strongbox into the fish pond, from \"Bertoldo, Bertoldino, and Cacasenno," was made between 1705 and 1715 by Giuseppe Maria Crespi. It strikes me as darkly humorous, watching this fellow heave his presumably valuable strongbox in what must be an act of utter frustration. What do you see in it? Curator: Well, isn't it a glorious spectacle of pure, unadulterated exasperation! Imagine – the din of those infernal frogs, driving a man to financial ruin just to achieve a moment's peace. It’s operatic in its absurdity! Crespi captures that almost cartoonish, over-the-top quality beautifully, don’t you think? This series speaks to the anxieties about class and wealth prevalent in the early 18th century through laughter, using exaggerated narratives, but this one feels like a raw nerve barely disguised. Do you catch that note? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. So, beyond just the humor, it’s perhaps critiquing… impulsive decision-making driven by stress among the upper class? Curator: Precisely! Or even more broadly, it whispers of the perils of succumbing to the chaos of the world around us. Sometimes, aren't we all tempted to chuck our own strongboxes into the nearest pond? And let's consider those frogs, symbols, perhaps, of all the petty annoyances that can collectively drive us mad. It tickles me to think about it. Editor: That’s a refreshing point of view, considering these themes are still resonant. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure! It’s artworks like these that remind us history is just human nature in a different costume, and sometimes, that costume involves a really, really bad day.