Jonge vrouw en Joodse handelaar met talliet 1846

Paul Gavarni created this print titled "Jonge vrouw en Joodse handelaar met talliet" sometime in the mid-19th century. During this period, France saw the rise of caricatures and social commentary in popular media, reflecting the complex relationships between different social groups. In this lithograph, we see a young woman and a Jewish merchant, who is identifiable by his tallit, or prayer shawl. Gavarni captures a moment of economic exchange, subtly addressing the intersection of identity and commerce. The artist doesn't shy away from stereotypes; he leans into them, inviting a critical look at the prevailing attitudes towards Jewish people in Parisian society. The woman's expression is hard to read, and the merchant looks rather intense, as if haggling over the price of fabric. Gavarni's print isn't just a depiction of a commercial transaction, it's a mirror reflecting the complicated social and economic tensions of 19th-century France. It’s an invitation to consider how cultural biases shaped individual interactions and broader societal structures.