... Yes my dear [meat (lit.)] Auguste. I am decidedly arrested in the heart so much that my rascal of a director will have half left it ..., p. 41. 1852

Curator: Look at this intriguing lithograph by Paul Gavarni. The piece, whose title translates to "... Yes my dear [meat (lit.)] Auguste. I am decidedly arrested in the heart so much that my rascal of a director will have half left it...", presents an intimate scene rendered with delicate lines. Editor: The mood is decidedly melancholic, isn't it? The way the figures are positioned suggests a scene of quiet contemplation, or perhaps even resignation, under the heavy drapes. Curator: Gavarni was a keen observer of Parisian life, and his prints often depicted the social realities of his time. Lithography, with its accessibility, allowed for wider distribution of such social commentaries. Editor: Absolutely. This image speaks to the complexities of gender and power dynamics within the context of 19th-century artistic production. The title itself hints at the economic constraints faced by women, reliant on male patronage. Curator: And consider the skill in achieving such tonal variation using only line work. It reveals Gavarni’s mastery of the medium and the labor involved in its creation and circulation. Editor: Yes, it serves as a poignant reminder of the intertwined lives of artists and their subjects, and the societal forces that shaped their realities. Curator: A worthwhile reminder of the artist's production process and choices. Editor: Indeed, a powerful piece for considering the social conditions of art-making.