Nocturne of Two Noses 1843

Editor: This is Paul Gavarni’s “Nocturne of Two Noses,” made in 1843. It’s a lithograph, giving it that characteristic grainy texture. The scene depicts a couple asleep in bed, and there’s something about the darkness and detail in the drapes that's catching my attention. How should we approach discussing this? Curator: Well, consider the lithographic process itself. Gavarni, like Daumier, was deeply involved in the print culture of his time. This wasn't high art destined for a salon; it was mass-produced imagery. How does the means of production – a relatively cheap and accessible printing method – inform our understanding of its subject matter? Editor: I see what you mean. It’s not some grand, idealized portrait. But how does that connect with these sleeping figures? Curator: Think about the setting: a bedroom, arguably the most private, domestic space. Lithography enabled artists like Gavarni to disseminate scenes of everyday life to a wide audience, potentially blurring the lines between public and private spheres. And note those noses—prominent, perhaps even a bit caricatured. What statement does that make regarding the subjects and Gavarni’s process of observing them? Editor: So, he’s using the accessible medium of lithography to give us, the viewing public, this intimate and perhaps unflattering view of private life? Curator: Precisely! This contrasts sharply with, say, a commissioned portrait in oil. Gavarni is offering commentary on social customs and human relationships through this readily available, mass-produced format. It provokes questions about who has access to art and whose stories are being told. The loose slippers on the floor, the dark and dominating textures of the drapes—it all adds to that sense. Editor: That’s fascinating. I never considered the impact of lithography itself on the artwork’s message. I guess I was focusing too much on the faces themselves. Curator: It's a testament to how considering materials and the process reveals hidden meanings. It shifts our understanding from individual genius to the broader material conditions shaping artistic creation.