Gavroche at 11 years old 1850

Here, Victor Hugo captures Gavroche, the iconic street urchin from Les Misérables, with ink on paper. The most striking feature is the boy’s audacious grin. This exaggerated smile echoes the masks of ancient Greek theatre, where emotions were amplified to reach vast audiences. Consider the evolution of the smile throughout art history. From the enigmatic smiles of archaic kouroi statues to the knowing smirk of a Renaissance portrait, the smile's meaning shifts. In Gavroche's case, it embodies youthful defiance, a refusal to be crushed by poverty and injustice. This image evokes deep-seated memories of resilience in the face of adversity. Like a recurring dream, this symbol of unwavering spirit resurfaces throughout time. Gavroche’s smile—a powerful force—engages viewers on a subconscious level, reminding us of our shared humanity and the enduring power of hope.