At the present, I sell pleasure to the ladies., p. 79 1852

Editor: Here we see Paul Gavarni's print, "At the present, I sell pleasure to the ladies." The cross-hatching and rendering of the figure are very striking, but what do you see in the composition, formally? Curator: The density of the hatching creates a powerful contrast. Notice how the sharp, angular lines define the form, creating a sense of both texture and volume. How do these formal choices communicate meaning? Editor: I guess the roughness mirrors the figure's age and the harsh realities of her existence. Thanks, I see how the formal elements really reinforce the subject matter. Curator: Precisely. The artist's marks are carefully placed, directing the eye and amplifying the emotional impact of the work.