Masks and faces: The first quarter of an hour 1857 - 1858

"Masks and Faces: The first quarter of an hour" is a lithograph by Paul Gavarni, a French artist known for his caricatures and social commentary. The artwork depicts a solitary figure, likely a traveler, standing in a landscape with a walking stick and a backpack. The figure's face is partially obscured by a hat, creating a sense of anonymity and introspection, which is typical of Gavarni's work, often exploring the hidden emotions and realities of daily life in 19th-century Paris. The artwork is housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.