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Look here, my little Larrims, I have a great deal of affection for you! But… no no it’s true! One can flirt as much as one likes, but never with the friends of the man one loves, that’s sacred!
(Voyez-Vous, Mon Petit Larrims....)
(1841)
from the Les débardeurs (The dock workers) series, published in Le Charivari 1840–43
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1930
- Gallery location
- 18th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Paul Gavarni’s carnival lithographs tend to focus on intimate groups who have drifted away from the crowded dance floor. This reflects the habits of many masked ball attendees, for whom drinking and dancing were mere precursors to the main event: the search for clandestine romantic liaisons. In this lithograph, this pursuit has proven unsuccessful. A woman dressed as a dock worker, or débardeur, rebuffs a man in mock military costume, stating, ‘Look here, my little Larrims, I have a great deal of affection for you! But… no no it’s true! One can flirt as much as one likes, but never with the friends of the man one loves, that’s sacred!’
Artwork Details
printed in ink u.r.: 60.
printed in ink l.c.: Par Gavarni
printed in ink l.c.r.: Imp. d’Aubert & Cie
printed in ink l.l.: Voyez-vous mon petit Larrims, j’ai de l’amitié pour vous, tout plein, tout plein! / mais ….non! non, là vrais ! … dix fois on sera légère, mais jamais avec les / amis d’un homme qu’on aime …. Ceux là, c’est sacré!
Felton Bequest, 1930
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of the Joe White Bequest
Level 2, NGV International