Say-So, Papa!, from Masques et Visages 1853

This lithograph by Paul Gavarni, titled "Say-So, Papa!", from Masques et Visages, presents a window into 19th-century French bourgeois life. Gavarni, working during a time of significant social change, captured the nuances of class and gender dynamics with a keen eye. Here, we see a domestic scene, the father engrossed in papers, while the daughter hovers, seemingly urging him with the phrase "Say-So, Papa!". This intimate moment hints at the complex negotiations within the family, likely centered on money or inheritance. The daughter's posture and expression suggest a desire for agency, perhaps even a challenge to patriarchal structures. Gavarni subtly critiques the social conventions of his time, revealing the tensions beneath the surface of respectability. The print invites us to reflect on how familial roles and expectations continue to shape individual experiences and societal power dynamics. It is a reminder that even in the most private of spaces, broader social forces are at play, influencing our interactions and identities.