Nouveaux Travestissemens, ca. 1830, No. 67 : DONA. Toque de velours (...) c. 1830

Paul Gavarni created this hand-colored lithograph, titled "Nouveaux Travestissemens, ca. 1830, No. 67 : DONA," around 1830. The print comes from a series depicting people in costume, reflecting the vibrant theater and masquerade culture of 19th-century Paris. Here, we see a figure in drag, identified as 'Dona,' wearing a velvet toque, vest and satin skirt. The title, "Nouveaux Travestissemens," translates to "new disguises," suggesting the fluidity and performance of gender. Gavarni's work exists within a historical context where social norms were being both challenged and reinforced. The artist captures an individual exploring identity through fashion and presentation. What does it mean to ‘disguise’ oneself? Is Dona mocking or celebrating femininity? As you stand here, consider the ways identity can be expressed. How can one negotiate societal expectations and personal desires? This piece offers a glimpse into the complex negotiations of identity that people have always undertaken.