An exceedingly jealous husband, plagued by fears of infidelity, decides to leave home for a while. To ensure his peace of mind while he’s away, he takes an unusual precaution: he paints an image of a donkey on his wife’s private parts, believing that anyone who sees her will erase it. With this peculiar safety measure in place, he departs, feeling somewhat secure.
However, his suspicions turn out to be justified, as his wife is indeed unfaithful, engaging in an affair with another man. As anticipated, the original donkey drawing is quickly erased. But the wife, being resourceful, had been unfaithful with an artist. In no time, he recreates a donkey image identical to the first, ensuring her deception remains hidden.
At first glance, it seems like a flawless plan—though one might wonder about various practical issues, such as hygiene and basic needs, but let’s set those aside for now. The crucial detail that exposes her affair lies in the painting itself. The husband had meticulously copied the original donkey drawing onto a piece of paper before he left, intending to compare it upon his return. When he comes back, he notices a significant difference: his version of the donkey lacked a saddle, while the replica created by the artist prominently features one. This detail ultimately reveals his wife’s betrayal.
Beyond the comedic elements of this tale, art critics emphasize that Subleyras, through this playful satire, offers a social critique on the necessity of breaking free from the outdated and restrictive norms of the time. These rigid standards, heavily influenced by bigotry and clericalism, were increasingly challenged during the Enlightenment period that followed.
Recent Comments