The Street Sweeper (Le Cantonnier) c. 1848 - 1852

Editor: We're looking at "The Street Sweeper (Le Cantonnier)" by Paul Gavarni, made around 1848-1852, a drawing that seems to utilize watercolour, colored pencil, and maybe even coffee for the painting? The atmosphere is both gloomy and kind of endearing; he looks like he’s trying to keep warm on a bitter day. What jumps out at you when you see it? Curator: What grabs me immediately is how Gavarni uses line and wash – the confidence of the drawn line against the evocative bleeds of the watercolor… it makes me think of a fleeting moment captured with real empathy. Imagine Gavarni pausing in a bustling Parisian street, sketched notebook in hand. The colours are muted but lively; almost as though they are whispering forgotten secrets. Notice the oversized coat and how it cocoons him. Do you feel that hints at a vulnerable human beneath his rough and unglamorous day job? Editor: Absolutely, there’s a tenderness despite the subject's social station. It’s interesting that you say ‘fleeting’– the washes definitely contribute to that feeling. Almost like steam rising or maybe the dust he’s meant to be sweeping up. Did Gavarni do many character studies like this? Curator: He was prolific! Gavarni thrived on observing and recording Parisian life in all its vibrancy. But, yes, he often focused on the everyday worker, imbuing them with a dignity and humanity that you didn't always find elsewhere at the time. I imagine him wanting to remind us of shared human existence and the universal need for work and recognition. Editor: I never considered the social commentary before, that definitely gives me a fresh lens. The empathy in his depiction, juxtaposed with the dreary tones, is now hard to ignore! Thanks! Curator: It’s those subtle details that deepen our connection, isn't it? It invites a longer gaze and perhaps, even prompts our own self reflection on our roles and our realities in a much wider society!