A Baker c. 19th century

Curator: Paul Gavarni's lithograph, "A Baker," captures a figure outside a doorway. The text below the image, "Sans crinoline," adds another layer to the image. Editor: There's a weariness in the baker’s posture, a quiet, stoic stance amplified by the monochromatic palette. Curator: Gavarni was known for depicting everyday Parisian life, often focusing on the working class and, as you point out, capturing their emotional realities. The absence of a crinoline, the defining feature of fashionable women, emphasizes the baker's distance from that world. Editor: Right, and the doorway – a liminal space – could symbolize the transition between private and public life, or perhaps, the barriers between different social classes. Curator: That's a compelling reading. It certainly gives weight to the baker’s identity, and, frankly, speaks volumes about the hidden labor upholding society. Editor: A stark reminder of the human element baked into our daily bread.