Oudere man stuurt jongeman weg uit een kamer 1843

Paul Gavarni created this monochromatic lithograph titled, *Oudere man stuurt jongeman weg uit een kamer*, sometime in the mid-19th century. The print captures an interior scene framed within a double-lined border, enhancing the sense of a staged encounter. We see an older, formally dressed man confronting a younger man whose back is turned, suggesting a narrative of expulsion or interruption. The stark contrast in attire and posture creates a dynamic tension, emphasizing the social commentary inherent in the work. Gavarni masterfully uses line and shading to define the characters and the cramped space, evoking a sense of claustrophobia. The curtain and rumpled bedclothes add to the atmosphere, hinting at the clandestine nature of the scene. The print is itself printed over a pre-existing printed material, a layering that questions fixed meanings. The print challenges viewers to consider the social codes and power dynamics at play in 19th-century Parisian society, reflecting the transient and often precarious nature of urban life.