Physionomies Parisiennes: Petit Commerce. La Monnaie d'un Ballon 1858

Paul Gavarni, a keen observer of Parisian life, created this lithograph called *Physionomies Parisiennes: Petit Commerce. La Monnaie d'un Ballon*. Gavarni was working during a time of rapid social change in Paris, and he captured the everyday experiences of its inhabitants. Here, we see a young working-class girl, identified by her simple dress, who sells balloons for a living. What does it mean to be a child laborer in Paris? Her face conveys a mix of weariness and resignation, hinting at the hardships faced by many children during this period. The title, 'The change from a balloon' suggests the meager earnings she makes. Gavarni's work often depicted the lives of the marginalized, offering a glimpse into the economic realities and social hierarchies of 19th-century Paris. He invites us to reflect on the human cost of economic progress. Through this poignant image, we’re confronted with questions about childhood, labor, and social inequality that still resonate today.