Carnavalsoptocht 1829

Victor Adam created this print, titled "Carnavalsoptocht," in the 19th century in Paris, using lithography. During the 1800s, the tradition of carnival in Paris provided a sanctioned space for social inversion and revelry before Lent. Adam's print captures a spirited street parade with people from various social strata participating in the spectacle. The figures on horseback and in carriages suggest the involvement of the bourgeoisie, while the presence of street performers and commoners blurs the lines of social hierarchy. Gender roles are also playfully subverted, with women participating actively in the festivities. This challenges the conventional representations of women. The print evokes the energy and excitement of the carnival, it also invites us to consider its complex social dynamics. In its own way the print reflects the changing societal landscape of 19th-century Paris, where tradition and modernity were constantly negotiating their place.