Kijkkast 1839

"Kijkkast" (1839) by Paul Gavarni is a lithograph depicting two men, one looking at a "cabinet of curiosities," a common attraction of the 19th century. The viewer sees the man's back, creating a sense of mystery about what he is viewing. The man in the foreground, on the other hand, is facing the viewer and appears to be reacting to what he sees in the cabinet, with his hand raised in surprise. This lithograph is a satirical commentary on the fascination with oddities and the curiosities of the time, a popular subject for Gavarni's social commentary. The use of lithography, a printing technique that allowed for mass production, made Gavarni's works accessible to a wide audience.