Mother, is this that fop from this morning . . . c. 19th century

Curator: This is a print by Paul Gavarni, titled "Mother, is this that fop from this morning . . .," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a family at the dinner table. Editor: The stark lines and tight composition create an immediate sense of tension, almost a claustrophobic feeling despite the domestic setting. Curator: Gavarni was a keen observer of Parisian society, particularly the emerging bourgeoisie. We see this reflected in the rigid postures and skeptical expressions. Editor: Absolutely. The formal arrangement, with the figures almost in profile, suggests a deliberate staging of social roles and power dynamics. Curator: This image speaks to the anxieties surrounding social mobility and the performance of class, common themes in Gavarni's work. Editor: The contrast between the delicate rendering of the mother and the almost caricatured features of the father is especially striking, highlighting potential class differences within the family itself. Curator: Indeed, it raises questions about the aspirations and vulnerabilities of this social class during the mid-19th century. Editor: It's a fascinating snapshot, really, a moment frozen in ink that reveals so much about the anxieties of the time. Curator: A compelling insight into the social fabric of 19th-century Paris through the eyes of a master satirist.