Nouveaux Travestissemens, 1830, No. 30 : Béarnaise 1830

Paul Gavarni created this print titled 'Nouveaux Travestissemens, 1830, No. 30: Béarnaise', in 1830. Here we see a depiction of a woman in theatrical costume, a reflection of the cultural fascination with performance and identity during the 19th century. In a period marked by rigid social norms, Gavarni's work hints at the fluidity of identity, particularly gender. The subject's attire, a playful take on regional dress, invites us to consider how clothing can both reveal and conceal aspects of the self. Gavarni was known for his satirical observations of Parisian life. "It is not sufficient to know the world," he once noted, "one must also know how to laugh at it." Here, Gavarni's work invites a nuanced reflection on the politics of appearance, echoing contemporary conversations around gender, performance, and the negotiation of social roles.