Masks and faces 1857 - 1858

Paul Gavarni created this image, Masks and faces, with graphite on paper. The figure stands with arms crossed, gazing into the distance; a posture that speaks volumes about the burden of thought. This gesture of crossed arms appears across time, from ancient sculptures to Renaissance portraits. It may signify contemplation, defensiveness, or even a sense of being closed off from the world. Consider how this motif mirrors depictions of melancholy in classical art, such as Albrecht Dürer’s Melancholia I. The emotional weight carried by this symbol is like a thread through the labyrinth of history. It resurfaces in different guises, carrying with it the echoes of countless human experiences. Gavarni captures not just a physical likeness, but a psychological portrait, tapping into the collective memory of human emotions and the cyclical nature of artistic expression.