La Mode, 1831, Pl. 120 : Toilette du soir 1831

Editor: Here we have Paul Gavarni’s “La Mode, 1831, Pl. 120: Toilette du soir”, a print and drawing from 1831. My first impression is of understated elegance and it feels as if we are eavesdropping on the meticulous rituals of preparing for an evening event. What's your take? Curator: Well, what leaps out at me, beyond the obvious dandyism, is this subtle tension. It’s more than just observation, isn’t it? Gavarni captures a fleeting moment, an unspoken narrative hangs in the air. I feel this work reflects on the performative aspect of high society in 19th century Paris, doesn't it? It makes me think: who are they trying to impress? Are we meant to admire them, or perhaps, to chuckle, just a bit, at their preening? What do you see as the emotional temperature? Editor: It definitely feels like a moment of quiet preparation and perhaps, a tad self-conscious. I hadn’t really thought about the element of social commentary until now, so thanks for the added perspective! Curator: Think about their attire - it whispers volumes! Each tailored cut, each precisely placed accessory— they speak of wealth, status and a desire to be perceived in a certain way. Isn't the attire loud without making a sound? Editor: Yes! So, by analyzing their outfits, are we also reading into the aspirations and the anxieties of a certain social stratum? Curator: Precisely! It's an era of incredible social mobility— or the *dream* of it. Each detail is both aspiration *and* anxiety made manifest. Editor: It makes me wonder what anxieties they tried to conceal. This work is way more complex than I originally thought! Curator: See? The fun is peeling back those layers. Never trust what you see on the surface. There is always so much more waiting to be revealed.