The Amateur of Gardens c. 19th century

Curator: This is "The Amateur of Gardens" by Paul Gavarni. Editor: He looks melancholy. The sweeping lines of his coat contrast sharply with the hesitant strokes used for the plants. Curator: Gavarni captures a certain Parisian type, a kind of dandy perhaps, reflecting social anxieties through his depiction of this man. Look at the title—"amateur"—implying a dilettante, out of his depth? Editor: Yes, but that is just a feeling! The cross-hatching is used to evoke the texture of his coat and the leaves, isn’t it? He also seems very self-conscious. Curator: Perhaps that discomfort mirrors the shifting societal roles of the time, where appearances were everything. Editor: An interesting point, and it gives a richer meaning to the use of such detailed, delicate, lines. Curator: Indeed. This image then becomes more than just a portrait; it’s a glimpse into the anxieties of a rapidly changing world. Editor: I am just not convinced. A very melancholic image still.