Evening Party c. 19th century

Editor: Paul Gavarni's "Evening Party", shows a couple at the piano, and strikes me as a bit theatrical. The woman's dress and the man's focused gaze – what do you see in this intimate performance? Curator: It's Gavarni's knack for capturing social nuances, isn't it? The 'soirée' implies elegance, but the ink lines suggest a quick, almost humorous take. It's as if he's winking at us, sharing a secret about the pretensions of Parisian society. Editor: So, you think there is irony in the composition? Curator: Precisely! Maybe Gavarni felt that these 'parties' were somewhat absurd, a performance in themselves. Don't you get that feeling? Editor: Absolutely. I can see a bit of satire peeking through now. Thanks!