Les-Parents-Terribles series: I can't stand for that kind of mustaches 1853

"I Can't Stand for That Kind of Mustaches" is an undated lithograph by Paul Gavarni, an artist who captured the nuances of Parisian life during a time of significant social change. Gavarni's work often highlights the tensions between the old guard and the emerging bourgeois class, and this piece is no exception. Here, we see a father and son locked in what appears to be a tense discussion. The father, stout and formally dressed, represents established norms, while the son, with his modern hairstyle and defiant stance, hints at a challenge to patriarchal authority. The tension in their interaction speaks volumes about generational conflict and evolving notions of masculinity. Gavarni masterfully uses the domestic setting to amplify the emotional weight of their disagreement, highlighting the personal struggles that mirror broader cultural shifts. The artwork captures the unease and negotiation inherent in family dynamics as society evolves.