Skilled at Dominos c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Paul Gavarni's Skilled at Dominos, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks like a sardonic comment on Parisian society, all rendered in delicate cross-hatching. Curator: Gavarni was known for his satirical lithographs depicting Parisian life. His work often critiqued social mores and class distinctions during the July Monarchy and the Second Empire. Editor: The contrast between the figures’ costumes, the masks, and the crowd creates a visual cacophony, doesn’t it? Curator: Indeed, Gavarni often worked for Le Charivari, contributing to the popular visual culture that reflected and shaped public opinion. Editor: So, beyond the surface, it really speaks to a particular moment in history. Curator: Precisely, Gavarni's work offers a window into the values and anxieties of 19th-century Paris. Editor: A pointed commentary, deftly drawn.