What shall we call our little girl? c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Paul Gavarni’s lithograph, “What shall we call our little girl?” a glimpse into domestic life from the 19th century. Editor: There's a striking intimacy in the image; the way the figures are intertwined suggests a closeness, yet the male figure appears almost burdened. Curator: Lithography allowed for a wide circulation of images, making scenes like this accessible to a broad audience. The choice of subject - a family moment - speaks to the changing values of the time. What do you make of the material reality of a lithograph depicting such sentiment? Editor: It's fascinating how a mass-produced print can capture such a supposedly private experience. Consider the woman's role, seemingly secondary, highlighting the era's gender dynamics. It reflects society's constricting expectations of women. Curator: I appreciate how you bring a contemporary lens to understanding the societal context. It allows us to grasp a deeper understanding of the labor that went into creating this image. Editor: Indeed, seeing art as a product of its time helps us critique its values and biases.