Dodophe and Titine c. 19th century

Editor: This is Paul Gavarni's "Dodophe et Titine," from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a charming scene, but the way the figures are rendered, especially their clothing, feels very detailed and almost manufactured. What strikes you about it? Curator: Considering Gavarni's background in industrial design, I look at the lithograph as a product of its time. The mass-produced nature of prints made art accessible, reflecting the rise of consumer culture. How does the depiction of leisure here intersect with the labor involved in creating these fashionable clothes and the print itself? Editor: That's a great point; it brings a whole new layer to the image. I hadn't considered the socioeconomic implications of their attire and its reproduction. Thanks! Curator: It recontextualizes "leisure" itself, doesn't it?