Les Invalides du Sentiment: Les deux Edmond 1853

Paul Gavarni made this print, “Les Invalides du Sentiment: Les deux Edmond,” using lithography, a process that democratized image-making in the 19th century. Unlike traditional engraving, which required laborious carving, lithography allowed artists to draw directly onto a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon. Look closely, and you can see the soft, velvety texture created by this technique. Gavarni captures the weight and form of the two figures, their clothing, and downcast expressions, with remarkable efficiency. The marks are minimal, yet expressive. Lithography enabled the mass production of images for newspapers and journals, fueling a boom in visual culture. Gavarni was a master of this medium, using it to capture the social types and everyday dramas of Parisian life. The "invalides du sentiment"—the emotionally wounded—were a recurring theme in his work. This print reminds us that even seemingly simple techniques can carry complex social and cultural meanings. The way an artwork is made profoundly influences how we experience it.