What! you see me with a man that you don't know . . . c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have "What! you see me with a man that you don't know . . ." by Paul Gavarni, a monochrome print. It has a theatrical feel, with these figures almost posed on a stage. What aspects of its production or social context do you find most compelling? Curator: The print’s reproductive process speaks volumes. Lithography allowed Gavarni to cheaply disseminate social commentary. The clothing, the body language, even the text beneath, all point to anxieties around class and gender performance circulating widely through mass media. Editor: So the medium itself is part of the message? Curator: Precisely. It’s not just what’s depicted, but *how* it was made and consumed. The print becomes a commodity, shaping and reflecting social norms around courtship and propriety. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about, especially regarding art and consumerism. Curator: Indeed, by understanding materiality, we reveal critical cultural dialogues.