Student wandelt met zijn vriendin door een weiland 1841

This lithograph, by Paul Gavarni, features a student and his girlfriend in a field. Made in 19th-century France, it's a moment captured during a time of significant social change, when class distinctions were both entrenched and challenged. Gavarni, born Guillaume Chevalier, adopted his pseudonym to signify his break from tradition and the established norms of Parisian society. Here, the central figures, their fashion, and their interaction reflect evolving social dynamics. The woman’s downcast gaze and posture invite questions about gender roles and expectations during this period. Look closely, and you'll notice how Gavarni uses the setting to comment on the figures' social positioning. The open field, a space for leisure, also suggests freedom, yet the couple is confined by the tall grass, perhaps symbolizing societal constraints. The lithograph subtly captures the complex interplay between personal identity and societal expectations, inviting us to reflect on our own roles within the larger social landscape.