You're very silly, Toinon, to come every morning like this. . . c. 19th century

Editor: So, this is a lithograph by Paul Gavarni, called "You're very silly, Toinon, to come every morning like this. . .". It looks like a father and son, but the title makes me think it's more complex than that. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a pointed commentary on class and social expectations. Gavarni often used his art to critique the bourgeoisie. The father's worn clothes juxtaposed with the son's drum perhaps speaks to the pressures placed on children to maintain or elevate their family's status, despite financial instability. What do you make of the text? Editor: I didn't notice the text at first. It seems to support what you're saying about class and expectations. It’s like the father is enabling his son's silly endeavors. Curator: Exactly. It underscores the absurdity of the situation. We can read Gavarni as highlighting the cyclical nature of societal pressures and the roles people play within them. Editor: That makes so much sense. I’ll definitely look at Gavarni’s work differently now. Curator: And hopefully see art as a dialogue with the world around us!