Prevailed, my good neighbor, be suspicious . . . c. 19th century

Editor: This is Paul Gavarni’s “Prevailed, my good neighbor, be suspicious . . .”, a drawing from the 19th century. It has a conspiratorial feel with these two men huddling together. What’s the story, how do you interpret it? Curator: It’s interesting to consider this drawing within the context of 19th-century Parisian society, a world of burgeoning capitalism and social anxieties. Do you notice how their clothing signifies different social strata, yet they are engaged in what appears to be a clandestine conversation? Editor: Yes, one seems wealthier than the other, but they're sharing secrets. Is it a commentary on class relations? Curator: Precisely! Gavarni often critiqued the moral ambiguities of his time, suggesting that suspicion and distrust permeated all levels of society. The title itself is a warning. Editor: That's so insightful. I’ll never look at a simple drawing the same way again. Curator: Indeed, art can reflect and challenge the dominant narratives of its time.