Caricature. No. 2. L'arrivee des Lettres et des Gournaux. 1828

Eugène-Louis Lami's 1828 watercolor caricature, "L'arrivee des Lettres et des Journaux," depicts a scene of domestic leisure in 19th-century France. The arrival of letters and newspapers is the occasion for a gathering of fashionable individuals, who are depicted in exaggerated poses and expressions. The artist's meticulous detail, particularly in the rendering of clothing and furniture, contributes to the humorous and satirical nature of the work. This small-scale drawing, now in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a testament to Lami's talent for capturing the social foibles and preoccupations of his time.