Man met banjo zingt en speelt een serenade 1854

Paul Gavarni created this lithograph of a serenading banjo player in 19th-century France. The image captures a seemingly simple scene: a man with a banjo singing, perhaps under a lover's window. Yet, Gavarni's work opens up wider questions about the role of music and performance in social life. In 19th-century Paris, where Gavarni worked, music halls and cafes were becoming important social spaces. Gavarni, through his connections with artistic institutions such as the French Academy, often depicted the lives of ordinary people. Here, he uses the serenader as a figure of romantic expression but also perhaps social commentary. Is this a genuine expression of love or a performance for social gain? To understand this image fully, one must delve into the social history of music in France, examining how institutions shaped artistic expression. We need to consider the historical conditions of 19th-century Paris. Art historians draw on a wide range of resources, from musical scores to newspaper articles to unlock this. Through a study of the era, we can begin to understand the role of art and culture in shaping social norms.