Les-Parents-Terribles series: Will you read that chapter over again... 1853

This lithograph by Paul Gavarni, titled "Les-Parents-Terribles series: Will you read that chapter over again…," offers us a glimpse into the intimate, yet complex dynamics of domestic life in 19th century France. Gavarni was known for his satirical observations of Parisian society during a time of rapid social and political change. Here, we see an older man and a younger woman, perhaps a father and daughter, or a tutor and student, engrossed in a book titled "Contrat Social", a reference to Jean-Jacques Rousseau's work. The scene presents a tension between generations and genders, as the woman reads aloud to the man. The man’s gaze is intense, is he seeking knowledge or perhaps exercising control? What are we to make of the power dynamics at play? Gavarni invites us to consider the roles that intellect, age, and gender play in shaping our relationships. Through Gavarni's lens, the personal becomes political, reflecting broader societal negotiations around authority and education. The emotional intimacy suggested by their shared reading is complicated by the social hierarchies of the time, leaving us to contemplate the many layers of human connection.