Zingende man 1844

This is Paul Gavarni’s lithograph, "Zingende man", a work which encapsulates the theatricality of 19th-century Parisian life. Gavarni, born Hippolyte Chevalier, made a name for himself portraying the lives of everyday Parisians, often with a satirical edge. Look at the figure's exaggerated expression, the open mouth suggesting a song, or perhaps a cry. The print is titled 'La Douleur d'une Mère' or 'A Mother's Pain' in English, a quote from a popular play at the time. Gavarni's caricatures often poked fun at the bourgeoisie, but they also reveal the social tensions of the era, a time of rapid industrialization and growing class divisions. His work provides a window into the complex identities and social roles of his subjects, inviting us to consider the intersection of personal experience and public performance. Through his drawings, Gavarni captured not just images, but the very pulse of a city in flux, inviting us to reflect on the emotional and social currents that shaped 19th-century Paris.