But if a man had been for me . . . c. 19th century

Editor: So, this print is called "But if a man had been for me . . .," by Paul Gavarni. The lines are so expressive, almost frantic. I’m curious, what’s your interpretation of the scene? Curator: Well, the exaggerated gestures speak volumes, don’t they? Look at the man’s pleading hands, the woman’s stoic pose. Perhaps Gavarni is poking fun at romantic disillusionment or gendered expectations of the time. What do you think the text beneath the image hints at? Editor: It looks like the woman is saying she would be ashamed if someone had done to a man what he has done to her. A bit of a double standard? Curator: Precisely! Gavarni captures that societal hypocrisy with a touch of wit. It makes you wonder what the specifics of the situation were. Editor: I guess looking closer reveals the cultural context, and the artist’s playful critique. Curator: Exactly. Art, like life, is always richer with a little context, a sprinkle of curiosity.