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Four blind men placed in a ring to fight a large pig, c14th-15th century (1882-1884). Artist: Spex
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Four blind men placed in a ring to fight a large pig, c14th-15th century (1882-1884). Artist: Spex
Four blind men placed in a ring to fight a large pig, c14th-15th century (1882-1884). A print from La France et les Francais a Travers les Siecles, Volume I, F Roy editor, Saint-Antoine, 1882-1884
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Media ID 14950435
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Amused Amusement Armed Blind Club Cruel Cruelty Enjoyment Laughing Laughter Print Collector12 Spectator Spectator Sport Spectators Armour Fourteenth Century
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print, created by the artist Spex in the late 19th century, depicts a rather unusual scene from the medieval era. Four blind men find themselves placed in a ring to confront a formidable opponent - a large pig. The concept of this spectacle is both intriguing and unsettling. Amidst an amused crowd of spectators dressed in medieval attire, these brave individuals armed with clubs stand ready to engage in combat with the hog. Laughter fills the air as onlookers revel in this peculiar form of entertainment. It is difficult to discern whether their amusement stems from genuine enjoyment or perhaps from witnessing such cruelty. The print offers us a glimpse into France's past, specifically during the 14th and 15th centuries when such spectacles were not uncommon. Warfare and weaponry were prevalent themes during this time period, making it unsurprising that even animal fights became spectator sports. While we are left pondering about the motivations behind this event, one cannot deny its historical significance as it reflects societal attitudes towards entertainment and leisure activities during that era. This monochrome engraving serves as a reminder of how our perception of amusement has evolved over time. As we gaze upon this thought-provoking image captured by Spex all those years ago, we are transported back to an age where laughter mingled with cruelty and where even four blind men could become unwitting participants in an extraordinary spectacle.
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