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I was deprived of the happiness to pick it up... I saw a hundred times an agile rival
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I was deprived of the happiness to pick it up... I saw a hundred times an agile rival
I was deprived of the happiness to pick it up... I saw a hundred times an agile rival offer it smiling to our common goddess. from the Little Miseries of Human Life, 1843
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Media ID 23863719
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
Gerard Jean Ignace Isidore Grandville Grandville Jj Granville J J J J Grandville J J Granville Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard Jj Grandville Jj Granville Misfortune Overweight Parody Satirical Wood Engraving
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this intriguing 19th-century wood engraving by Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard, also known as J. J. Grandville, we are transported to a satirical world filled with misfortune and irony. The image captures the essence of human life's little miseries, as described in his book from 1843. The scene unfolds with a sense of deprivation and longing. We witness a fatigued man sitting amidst a group of people, all seemingly weighed down by their own burdens. The artist cleverly portrays the man's yearning for happiness through his words: "I was deprived of the happiness to pick it up". It is an emotion that resonates deeply within us all - the missed opportunities that slip through our fingers. Amidst this gloominess, there is an agile rival who repeatedly offers something precious to their common goddess. This agile rival symbolizes those fortunate individuals who effortlessly attain what seems unattainable for others. Their smiling face adds another layer of irony to the situation. Grandville's skillful use of caricature and satire shines through in this black-and-white print. Through exaggerated features and comical expressions, he highlights society's flaws and pokes fun at its conventions. This artwork serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is room for humor and reflection on life's absurdities. It invites us to contemplate our own desires and aspirations while acknowledging the whimsical nature of fate itself.
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