The Concave Petitioner: The Taste of the Day, no. 33 (Le Solliciteur Concave: Le Goût du Jour, No. 33)

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of early 19th-century French satire, *The Concave Petitioner: Taste of the Day,. 33* (1817) captures the whimsical spirit of Parisian social commentary. Created by the enigmatic artist Aaron Martinet—or possibly an anonymous collaborator—this etching belongs to a series poking fun at the "taste of the day," likely skewering contemporary fashions or mannerisms among men. Produced during the Bourbon Restoration, a time of cultural flux after Napoleon's fall, such prints reflected the era's fascination with dandyism and social climbing. The artwork's hand-colored etching technique exemplifies the artistry of French printmaking, where fine lines etched into a copper plate allowed for sharp details, enhanced by delicate watercolor accents for lively appeal. Measuring a compact plate size of 10 11/16 x 8 1/16 inches, it was designed for affordable dissemination, making satire accessible to a broad audience. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this piece highlights the role of prints in shaping public discourse on gender, style, and etiquette. Visitors will appreciate its playful title—"Le Solliciteur Concave," evoking a comically hunched petitioner—offering a window into the humorous critiques that defined French graphic arts. A delightful glimpse of 1817's cultural pulse!