Fine Art Poster
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A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Baliverneries Parisiennes, Plate 21 - Paul Gavarni
Regular price
£28.00 GBP
Sale price
£28.00 GBP
Regular price
Archival giclée
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Description
A satirical lithograph by Paul Gavarni, capturing a cynical conversation between two men in a nineteenth-century Parisian interior.
This lithograph belongs to the series Baliverneries Parisiennes, a collection of satirical prints by the French artist Paul Gavarni. Known for his keen observation of Parisian social life, Gavarni utilised the medium of lithography to document the manners, fashions, and absurdities of the mid-nineteenth century. His work often appeared in periodicals such as Le Charivari, where he provided a visual commentary on the bourgeoisie and the urban classes.
The scene depicts two men engaged in a conversation within a domestic interior. The figure on the left, dressed in a frock coat with a prominent waistcoat, leans forward while gesturing, his expression one of worldly cynicism. His companion, seen from behind, wears a top hat and a tailored coat, his posture suggesting a degree of hesitation or dejection. The caption below the image provides the context for their exchange, referencing the social pressures of the time and the complexities of personal reputation. The text reads: T'as peur du Monde? pour une rupture, innocent! le Monde, c'est le tribunal de Commerce de tous les commerces. l'agréé de Calypso n'a jamais tort, mais l'agréé d'Ulysse a toujours raison.
Technically, the print demonstrates Gavarni's mastery of lithographic crayon. He employs varied pressure to create soft shadows and distinct textures, particularly in the clothing of the figures. The background is rendered with lighter, sketch-like strokes, ensuring the focus remains on the interaction between the two men. The composition is balanced, using the fireplace and the framed artwork on the wall to establish a sense of space. This piece offers a glimpse into the social satire that defined the era, capturing the nuances of human interaction through a sharp and observant lens.
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Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Complete The Look
Baliverneries Parisiennes, Plate 21 - Paul Gavarni
Regular price
From £28.00 GBP
Sale price
From £28.00 GBP
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Paul Gavarni
Gavarni was imprisoned for debt in 1835 after his magazine, the Journal of High Society, failed after eighteen issues. He served nearly a year. The experience did not prevent him from becoming the most stylish caricaturist in Paris, but it may explain the darkness that crept into his later work.
His real name was Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier. He adopted "Gavarni" from the town of Gavarnie in the Pyrenees after a journey there. He was born in Paris in 1804, worked as a machinist in a factory, and taught himself to draw in evening classes. By the 1830s he was the leading illustrator of Parisian social life: fashionable women, carnival scenes, lorettes and debardeurs, all rendered with a wit and polish that Balzac praised publicly and that helped establish Gavarni's reputation.
After the deaths of his mother and the collapse of his marriage around 1845, his style shifted. He spent time in London documenting the lives of the poor, producing work that was bleaker and more compassionate than his Paris satire. His catalogue raisonne lists approximately eight thousand works. He is often compared with his contemporary Daumier, though Gavarni's satire was more polished and less political. He died in Paris in 1866.
His real name was Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier. He adopted "Gavarni" from the town of Gavarnie in the Pyrenees after a journey there. He was born in Paris in 1804, worked as a machinist in a factory, and taught himself to draw in evening classes. By the 1830s he was the leading illustrator of Parisian social life: fashionable women, carnival scenes, lorettes and debardeurs, all rendered with a wit and polish that Balzac praised publicly and that helped establish Gavarni's reputation.
After the deaths of his mother and the collapse of his marriage around 1845, his style shifted. He spent time in London documenting the lives of the poor, producing work that was bleaker and more compassionate than his Paris satire. His catalogue raisonne lists approximately eight thousand works. He is often compared with his contemporary Daumier, though Gavarni's satire was more polished and less political. He died in Paris in 1866.
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The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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