Jongeman leest brief 1838

This print, "Jongeman leest brief" or "Young man reading letter," was created by Paul Gavarni. It's a lithograph, a printmaking process that relies on the chemical repulsion between oil and water. The image is drawn on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then inked. The ink adheres only to the drawn areas, and the print is made. Look closely, and you’ll notice the tremendous detail Gavarni achieved with this technique, from the textures of the men's clothing to the ornate details of the sofa. Lithography was a relatively new medium in the 19th century, enabling artists like Gavarni to produce images quickly and in large quantities. This reflects the rise of consumer culture and mass media, where images could be widely distributed and consumed. Consider also how this print relates to the world of labor. It highlights not only the labor of the artist, but also, perhaps, the lives of leisure enjoyed by the well-to-do. It invites us to consider the social dynamics of the time.