Sheet of Studies of Figures and Heads c. 19th century

Editor: This is Paul Gavarni's "Sheet of Studies of Figures and Heads" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a pretty busy sketch, mostly heads, and everyone looks so… judgmental. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Gavarni lived in a time of immense social upheaval. These aren’t just studies of faces; they are types, social commentaries. Consider the pointed hats, the exaggerated features. To what extent are these caricatures reflecting power dynamics of his era? Editor: So, you're saying it's more than just faces; it's about class and maybe even political satire? Curator: Precisely. Think about who is being mocked and why. Gavarni was a social observer. He used his art to reflect and critique the inequalities he witnessed. What do you think he was trying to say about society? Editor: I never would have considered it a protest. It's fascinating how art can be a mirror to society, even in a simple sketch. Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to consider whose stories are being told, and how.