Me, I signed for five hundred francs and I only have three hundred of it . . . c. 19th century

Editor: This is a print by Paul Gavarni, titled "Me, I signed for five hundred francs and I only have three hundred of it . . .". The scene is stark and depicts apparent poverty. What can you tell us about this work? Curator: Considering its context, we must examine the paper, the printing process, and Gavarni's role as a lithographer for journals. How did the economics of printmaking influence his subject matter and reach audiences? Editor: That's an interesting point about accessibility. Did the printing process democratize art viewing, bringing images of working-class life to a broader audience? Curator: Precisely. Gavarni's prints reveal the means of production behind the image, exposing the labor and economic realities that shaped both the subject and the art itself. Editor: I hadn't considered the material conditions so directly influencing the artistic content. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it prompts us to question the boundaries between art, craft, and social commentary.