Portret van een jonge poppenspeler en straatmuzikant 1840

This print, made by Paul Gavarni in the mid-19th century, depicts a young street performer. Gavarni was a master of lithography, a printmaking process that relies on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. The artist drew with a greasy crayon on a stone, then used acid to etch the design before printing. What makes this print so compelling is Gavarni’s skill in capturing the textures of everyday life. Look closely, and you’ll see the rough fabric of the boy’s clothes, the worn surface of his drum, and the delicate features of his puppet. These are not the refined materials of high art, but rather the humble tools of a working-class entertainer. Gavarni's choice of lithography allowed him to produce images quickly and cheaply, making his work accessible to a wide audience. In a way, the print itself mirrors the boy’s own trade – a means of bringing art to the streets, blurring the boundaries between commerce, culture, and creativity.