By Emily Umansky (CLAS/Batten ‘17)
Renowned French historian Gérard Pouchain has curated and edited catalogues for numerous exhibitions of caricatures of Victor Hugo in Europe, the United States, China, and Cuba. Now he has brought his collection of original Les Misérables caricatures to UVa. Ranging from parodies to comic sketches of the author with his characters, these caricatures will be on display in the Rotunda Upper West Oval Room until February 28, 2017.
Gérard arrived in Charlottesville on Tuesday, January 17, with a large suitcase full of pieces from his personal caricature collection. Marva, Gérard, and I framed all 31 caricatures to be hung on the walls, and worked with generous colleagues at the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library to prepare display cases of books and magazines.
We put the exhibit up on Friday, January 20, with help from UVa Facilities Management. Gérard arranged the caricatures in chronological order and directed the installation.
The earliest Les Misérables caricatures hang on the left side of the door, (as can be seen below on the left). The other side of the Upper West Oval Room features 16 later pieces of the collection, (below on the right).
Three caricatures depicting Victor Hugo late in life hang over the mantel and can be seen straight ahead when visitors walk into the room (below). One can prominently see Hugo’s characteristic large head in these caricatures.
Display cases on either side of the room hold books, magazines, and other original works dating from the 19th century through contemporary times, including a Disney book retelling the story of the bishop’s candlesticks with Donald Duck.
Throughout the week of Gérard’s stay, he welcomed visitors to the exhibit, discussing his research and explaining the significance of the numerous caricatures.
On Monday, January 23, Gérard gave his illustrated French presentation, “La caricature au service de la gloire, ou Victor Hugo raconté par le portrait-charge.” His lecture took place in the Rotunda Dome Room, right above the exhibit, and was well received by students and faculty of the Department of French, fans of Les Misérables, and other members of the UVa community.
Marva also invited the first-year students in her University Seminar, “Les Misérables Today,” to see the exhibit on Wednesday. Learning about the collection from Gérard himself was a special opportunity, enriching the students’ study of the novel and its historical resonance.
UVa is fortunate to have had Gérard visit and to feature his collection in the Rotunda. He brings Victor Hugo and his characters to life, giving historical and cultural context to Hugo’s work and illuminating Hugo’s influence on French society. A limited number of copies of the exhibit catalogue edited by Marva, Gérard, and Robert F. Cook in both English and French are available in the exhibit and free for the public.
You can view the catalogue online here.
Sponsored by an Arts Endowment Grant, the Department of French, the Vice Provost for the Arts, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, and the Department of Drama.