Twee vrouwen en een meisje lezen reclame voor een verzekering 1843

Paul Gavarni created this print, titled ‘Two women and a girl read an advertisement for insurance,’ sometime in the mid-19th century. At first glance, it seems like a simple street scene. But consider the historical context: France was undergoing rapid industrialization, leading to new social anxieties and economic uncertainties. Here, we see women, often excluded from the formal economy, engaging with the burgeoning world of finance through advertisements. The presence of the child adds another layer, highlighting the vulnerability of families in a changing world. It’s hard not to wonder about the promises these advertisements held and the realities they obscured. How did women navigate these spaces? What hopes and fears did they carry as they looked toward an uncertain future? Gavarni invites us to reflect on how societal shifts impact our most personal lives. The work captures a moment of contemplation amidst the clamor of modernity.