Les Invalides du Sentiment: Raphael 1853

This lithograph, "Les Invalides du Sentiment: Raphael," was created by Paul Gavarni in 19th-century France. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the contrast between greasy and water-receptive areas on a stone or metal plate. The artist draws an image on the surface with a greasy crayon or ink. Gavarni's image gains much of its character from this process. The velvety blacks and subtle gradations of tone show a directness, a sense of the artist's hand, that can be lost in other forms of reproduction. This particular print is part of a series called "Masques et Visages," which translates to "Masks and Faces." Gavarni created a character study that appears to focus on the romantic figure. Lithography enabled the wide distribution of images in newspapers and books, playing a key role in shaping public opinion and popular culture. Gavarni's series speaks to the rise of celebrity and the commodification of artistic identity. It encourages us to consider the relationship between artistic production, social commentary, and commercial culture, and pushes us to question traditional art historical categories.