Masks and faces: Brandy-a man plus brandy makes a savage, and brandy plus savages makes cattle 1857 - 1858

Curator: Here we have a lithograph and pencil drawing on paper by Paul Gavarni, made around 1857-1858. It’s entitled, quite dramatically, “Masks and faces: Brandy-a man plus brandy makes a savage, and brandy plus savages makes cattle.” Editor: Whew, that title’s a mouthful, isn’t it? My first thought seeing this, honestly, is just weariness. The figure seems so defeated. You can almost smell the desperation clinging to him like cheap cologne. Curator: Precisely! Gavarni, though admired in his time for social caricatures, exposes here a deep, perhaps uncomfortable truth through a beautifully rendered drawing. The very medium – the pencil, the lithographic print – speaks to the availability, the cheapness almost, that mirror's brandy’s lure. Editor: It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? What sort of industry fueled this man's despair? I see this paper and ink, made by laborers unknown. What socio-economic tides swept him so low that brandy offers an escape from the mundane and grim toil? The commodification of booze as an oblivion machine is heavy. Curator: Right! And, look closely. Notice how Gavarni doesn't shy away from illustrating this man’s poverty. His clothes seem well-worn and baggy. The very fine lines and shadings used create depth and emphasize every sag of fabric. It's real; it's harsh. Editor: The textures speak volumes. I’m especially interested in how it blurs the boundary between fine art and mass reproduction through printed lines—it asks the question, “Who consumes these prints, and why?" The distribution is part of this process. Curator: It makes one pause and examine. Do we truly see those society often pushes into shadows? Do we acknowledge the mechanisms that contribute to individual suffering? Food for thought, indeed! Editor: Yes, Gavarni encourages the viewer to recognize their part within this wider network, both as spectators and participants, engaging critically with the world manufactured around us. Thanks for revealing the many dimensions here!