Drie mannen wachten op dezelfde vrouw 1840

Curator: This lithograph from approximately 1840, by Paul Gavarni, is titled "Drie mannen wachten op dezelfde vrouw"—"Three Men Waiting for the Same Woman." It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, what strikes me is the awkward tension practically radiating off these spindly figures. Are they bored, anxious, or simply resigned to their fate? And what exactly IS she doing? Curator: The piece presents an excellent example of Romanticism and the popular theme of caricature in 19th-century art. Gavarni was a keen observer of Parisian society. It is a wonderful glimpse into the gender dynamics and social rituals of the time. Editor: Absolutely! Their top hats and rigid postures remind me of puppets—and the woman they await as some puppeteer who is in control of their very essence. But look at their faces! Only one shows a sliver of expression. Do you think the other two secretly dread her arrival? Curator: It's very possible. The ambiguity is certainly part of the print’s charm. Notice the artist uses fine lines to create shading and detail, which lends a certain depth to the image despite its otherwise sparse composition. It's suggestive of old engraving styles which lend to a rather cynical view of courtship in the period. Editor: I agree! And, given that "Fourberies de Femmes" is printed at the top – something like "Female Deceptions" or "Women's Tricks"—perhaps their suspicion, maybe it is even paranoia, is entirely justified? I love how Gavarni lets us project so much emotion into this simple scene. Curator: Exactly. Gavarni's lithograph, "Three Men Waiting for the Same Woman", acts as a mirror, reflecting the complexities and societal structures present at the time of its creation. Editor: It invites us to laugh and, maybe, to shudder a little, at the timeless, sometimes ridiculous game of love and loss.