The great rising c. 19th century

Editor: This is "The Great Rising" by Paul Gavarni. It seems to depict a wealthy woman being greeted by a gentleman. The textures in the print look very linear and created through labor-intensive methods. What can you tell me about the social context of this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider the means of production here. This wasn't mass production as we understand it now, but it was certainly intended for wider consumption than a unique artwork. Think about the labor involved in creating the plate, the paper, the ink. Who had access to this image, and what social commentary was Gavarni making about the consumption habits of the bourgeoisie? Editor: So, it's not just the image itself, but also how it was made and who it was for, that gives it meaning? Curator: Precisely. The materiality and the mode of distribution are crucial for understanding its role in 19th-century society.