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Oh, cut it out!... You peculiar-looking man!
(Va donc!... Singulier masculin!)
(1841)
from the Souvenirs du carnaval (Memories of the Carnival) series, first published in La Caricature, 1837–40
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1927
- Gallery location
- 18th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
During the 1830s, the masked balls held in the six weeks before Lent were widely considered the highlight of the Paris carnival season. Arist Paul Gavarni immersed himself in all aspects of these extravagant events: a frequent attendee, he also designed some of the period’s most popular costumes and devoted several series of lithographs to the subject of masked balls. In this work, Gavarni depicts a woman dressed as a débardeur attempting to capture a fleeing reveller. Inspired by the working attire of Parisian dock workers, this bold and irreverent costume – comprising a braided wig, loose shirt and black trousers tied with a sash – was Gavarni’s most celebrated design.
Artwork Details
printed in ink (in image) l.r.: Gavarni (reversed)
printed in ink u.r: LES DEBARDEURS
printed in ink l.c.: Par Gavarni / Va donc! ... Singulier masculin!
printed in ink l.l.: Chez Bauger R du Croissant 16
printed in ink l.r.: Imp d'Aubert & Cie
Felton Bequest, 1927
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of the Joe White Bequest
Level 2, NGV International