Do you see, mother Marengo . . . c. 19th century

Curator: So, let's explore this lithograph by Paul Gavarni, entitled "Do you see, mother Marengo . . .," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you initially? Editor: There's this odd mix of formality and absurdity; those towering contraptions strapped to their backs give them the air of steampunk warriors, yet their faces suggest a mundane transaction. It's wonderfully strange. Curator: Gavarni, a keen observer of Parisian life, often used his art to critique social dynamics. The text beneath the image hints at commentary on business and social climbing. Editor: Absolutely. You sense the tension between aspiration and reality, the weight of ambition carried so literally on their shoulders. It's like they’re wearing their burdens. Curator: Consider how the industrial revolution created a new kind of entrepreneur, but also increased competition and pressure. Perhaps these figures symbolize that societal shift. Editor: A shift depicted with a delightful absurdity and subtle humor. Gavarni understood the inherent comedy in the human condition. It makes you wonder: are they selling sausages, or something far more...symbolic? Curator: A fitting reflection on the complexities Gavarni captured, wouldn't you say? Editor: Indeed, a whimsical window into a world wrestling with change.