Jonge vrouw wordt gewekt door haar moeder 1839

This lithograph of a young woman being woken by her mother was made by Paul Gavarni, a 19th-century French artist who often depicted scenes of everyday life. The artist's mastery of lithography allowed him to capture the intimate moment with remarkable detail. Look closely at the soft, blurred lines that define the sleeping woman's face, and the sharp, angular strokes that render her mother's stern expression. The contrast is quite striking. Gavarni used the possibilities of lithography to express social themes, highlighting the differences in age and circumstance between the two women. Lithography, as a medium, enabled Gavarni to produce images quickly and in large quantities, catering to the growing demand for illustrated newspapers and periodicals. In this context, the print becomes more than just a work of art, it becomes a commodity, reflecting the changing dynamics of labor and consumption in 19th-century France. By focusing on the materials and processes of art making, we gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural forces that shaped the artwork and its meaning.