The artwork titled “Cabinet Junto” was created by the artist Paul Revere in 1774. It is considered to be a caricature, representative of the Rococo art movement, although the political nature of the work and period it was made in might suggest it aligns more with the colonial American context rather than the European Rococo style, which tends to emphasize ornamental and intricate designs.
In the artwork “Cabinet Junto,” we observe a scene featuring five figures that engage in a moment of discussion or consultation. At the center of the artwork, a man sits behind a desk cluttered with paper, some of which spill over onto the floor, indicative of the chaos or busyness surrounding the figure. He is flanked by two men; the one to his right appears particularly earnest or possibly sycophantic, as suggested by the expression and the body language directed towards the central figure. To the left of the central man, another stands with a plume in hand and a speech bubble that exudes confidence or assertiveness.
In the background to the right, a man stands wearing a hat with a speech bubble that reads, “Courage my good Charles,” which implies encouragement or support. In the upper left corner, a prominent female figure, allegorical in nature, is included in the composition—often such figures symbolize concepts like liberty or justice, and she is seen exclaiming words that seem to echo hope or guidance from above. The presence of speech bubbles throughout the artwork imbues it with a distinct narrative quality, hinting at the lively discourse and exchange of ideas among the depicted figures.
The picture is rich in detail and expressive characterization, which is typical of caricatures of the time, aiming to convey a pointed social or political message through satire and visual exaggeration. Overall, the artwork serves as a visual commentary, most likely engaging with political themes pertinent to its era, just prior to the American Revolution.