Paul Gavarni, Impressions of Ménage, Plate 18, Mid-19th Century, Lithograph

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Lithograph on paper from the seires "Impressions de Ménage" (plate 18). An original nineteenth-century lithograph by the celebrated French artist … Read more Lithograph on paper from the seires "Impressions de Ménage" (plate 18). An original nineteenth-century lithograph by the celebrated French artist Paul Gavarni, from his acclaimed satirical series Impressions de Ménage ("Impressions of Married Life"). Published by Chez Panier, Rue du Croissant, Paris, and printed by Aubert & Cie, the series offers a perceptive and often humorous examination of marriage, domestic relationships, and bourgeois society in nineteenth-century France. This intimate interior scene portrays a bedridden wife attended by her husband, who sits beside her fastening or adjusting a bandage around his own leg. The dialogue printed beneath the image reads: "Étais-tu mauvaise avec moi, ma femme, quand tu n'étais que ma bien aimée ! — Vous feriez mieux de vous coucher, Beauminet, que de penser encore à ces bêtises-là." ("Were you unkind to me, my wife, when you were only my beloved?" — "You would do better to go to bed, Beauminet, than to keep thinking about such foolish things.") The exchange gently satirises marital nostalgia, with the husband sentimentally recalling courtship while the practical wife dismisses his reflections. Gavarni contrasts romantic idealism with the everyday realities of illness, domestic routine, and long-term companionship, illustrating his gift for finding humour in ordinary married life. Executed with rich tonal contrasts and subtle draftsmanship, the lithograph demonstrates Gavarni's exceptional ability to convey both psychological nuance and comic timing through restrained gesture and expression. The quiet bedroom setting and intimate interaction exemplify the observational sophistication that made the Impressions de Ménage series one of the artist's most admired achievements. Condition: Good overall condition, with a clear, well-preserved impression. The sheet displays light age toning, scattered foxing, faint handling creases, and minor edge wear consistent with age. The printed image remains strong, with rich tonal quality and excellent visual appeal. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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