Well! People say that a certain Colonel is marrying . . . c. 19th century

Editor: So, this print by Paul Gavarni, cheekily titled "Well! People say that a certain Colonel is marrying...", depicts a masked couple in conversation. There’s a slightly gossipy, conspiratorial feel to it. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, Gavarni! He's like the Parisian Daumier, a master of social satire. I see a commentary on the bourgeoisie, hiding behind masks at Carnival, whispering about scandalous marriages. The looseness of the line work adds to the sense of fleeting, ephemeral moments. It's as if he caught them mid-gossip, and that lady in the background knows the whole story! What do you think—is it a judgment or just an observation? Editor: That’s a great point; I’m now thinking about the ephemeral nature of gossip and how Gavarni captured it. Curator: Exactly! It makes you wonder what secrets those masks conceal. It's more than meets the eye, isn't it?