Paul Gavarni, Impressions of Ménage, Plate 15, Mid-19th Century, Lithograph

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Lithograph on paper, from the Series "Impressions de Ménage", plate 15. An original nineteenth-century lithograph by the celebrated French artist … Read more Lithograph on paper, from the Series "Impressions de Ménage", plate 15. An original nineteenth-century lithograph by the celebrated French artist Paul Gavarni, from his renowned 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 humorous observations on the aspirations, vanities, and everyday negotiations of bourgeois married life in nineteenth-century France. This plate depicts a husband and wife pausing during what appears to be a countryside outing. The husband lounges comfortably against a low wall, smiling at his wife, while she gazes through an opera glass or spyglass toward the distant horizon. Their conversation concerns the social importance of appearances and the logistics of visiting the local sub-prefect, revealing the comic preoccupation with status that Gavarni so often satirised. The accompanying dialogue reads: — La voisine a sa robe à gros boutons\. ils attendent la sous-préfète. — Alors faut te faire atteler le char-à-bancs. — Attends!\. non, non, m’ame Montfumé n’a pas sa robe à gros boutons; ils n’auront pas la sous-préfète. — Alors nous irons à pied. Tant mieux! parce que Coco boite. A translation reads: "The neighbour has put on her dress with the big buttons—they're expecting the sub-prefect's wife." "Then we'd better have the carriage harnessed." "Wait\. no, Madame Montfumé isn't wearing her dress with the big buttons—they won't be receiving the sub-prefect's wife after all." "Then we'll go on foot. So much the better—because Coco is lame." The humour lies in the absurd social calculations surrounding appearances and rank. The decision to arrive by carriage or on foot depends entirely upon whether the neighbours are entertaining an important visitor, while the final remark conveniently justifies the simpler option. Gavarni gently mocks the vanity and competitive etiquette of provincial bourgeois society, where even a dress becomes a signal of social ambition. Condition: Good overall condition, with a clear, well-preserved impression. The sheet exhibits light age toning, scattered foxing, faint fold lines, and minor surface soiling consistent with age. There is some gentle discolouration to the margins and a few small spots of foxing below the image, while the lithographic impression remains crisp with strong tonal contrast and fine detail. 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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