Gemaskerde vrouw probeert getrouwde man te verleiden op het bal 1843

Paul Gavarni created this lithograph, ‘Masked woman trying to seduce a married man at the ball’, sometime in the mid-19th century. The contrasting areas of light and shadow give the scene a dramatic flair. We see two figures engaged in a secretive rendezvous at a carnival ball. The composition centers on the interplay between the masked woman and the married man. The artist emphasizes their physical proximity and the tension of the moment. The lines of their costumes, the column behind them, and even the text below, create a structured yet dynamic arrangement. Gavarni subtly uses shadow to highlight the woman's advances and the man's potential moral conflict. This use of light and shadow, combined with the structured composition, reinforces the print’s satirical commentary on social interactions. The lithograph highlights the theatrical nature of social interactions, challenging the viewer to consider the hidden meanings behind appearances.