Paul Gavarni, Impressions of Ménage, Plate 2, Mid-19th Century, Lithograph

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Lithograph on paper, from the Series "Impressions de Ménage", plate 2. An original nineteenth-century lithograph by the celebrated French artist … Read more Lithograph on paper, from the Series "Impressions de Ménage", plate 2. 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 humorously examines the realities of bourgeois marriage through scenes of everyday domestic life. This early plate portrays a wife confronting her husband, who sits dejectedly outside what appears to be a wine shop, an empty bottle at his feet. with an accusatory gesture, she reproaches him for breaking the promises he made before their marriage. The accompanying caption reads: "Trois ou quatre méchantes chopines\. ça tourne de l'œil!\. et ça vous a promis aide et protection au pied des autels!\. un canard comme ça!" A translation reads: "Three or four miserable bottles of wine\. and you're already reeling!\. And this is the man who promised to help and protect you at the altar!\. What a fraud!" Gavarni's humour lies in the contrast between the solemn vows of marriage and the husband's decidedly unheroic behaviour. The wife recalls the traditional promise of protection made during the wedding ceremony, only to expose its hollowness in the face of his drunken weakness. Rather than presenting outright tragedy, the artist treats the scene with characteristic wit, highlighting the disappointments and absurdities of married life with sympathetic irony. Condition: Good overall condition, with a clear, well-preserved impression. The sheet displays light age toning, scattered foxing, faint vertical fold lines, and minor handling marks consistent with age. There is some slight surface soiling and gentle discolouration to the margins, while the lithographic image remains crisp, with strong tonal range and well-preserved 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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