Husbands Always Make Me Laugh: He goes on the loose 1853

Paul Gavarni created this lithograph titled "Husbands Always Make Me Laugh: He goes on the loose" during a time of significant social upheaval in France. Gavarni's artwork reflects the changing roles of men and women in 19th-century society. Here, a woman gazes out at us; her face is difficult to read. Is it boredom? Is it sadness? Below her, her husband lies passed out on a bed. The artwork offers a glimpse into the dynamics of marriage and gender relations of the time. The wife's apparent amusement might hint at a subversive commentary on male behavior and female expectations. Consider the title, with its bold claim that 'Husbands always make me laugh'. Is she laughing with them or at them? Gavarni encourages us to reflect on the complexities of relationships, and the often-contradictory emotions they elicit.