Artwork

Voyez-vous ma Chère! c'est la police qui fait jouer ces polichinels là, pour détourner l'attention...

Voyez-vous ma Chère! c'est la police qui fait jouer ces polichinels là, pour détourner l'attention... is a print by the Romanticist artist Clémente Pruche. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

c’est la police qui fait jouer ces polichinels là, pour détourner l’attention…* is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Created in 1840 by French printmaker Clémente Pruche, this work titled *Voyez‑vous ma Chère! c’est la police qui fait jouer ces polichinels là, pour détourner l’attention…* is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Executed as a print, the image captures a bustling urban street populated by figures in period costume, rendered with rapid, gestural lines that convey a sense of immediacy.

Subject & Meaning

The scene centers on a woman in an elaborate hat and shawl, fan in hand, flanked by a boy in a plain coat who points outward. A nearby wall bears an “OPERA” poster, while a crowd gathers near a rough‑hewn brick façade. The title’s reference to police and “polichinels” suggests a satirical commentary on authority‑driven distractions that divert public attention.

Technique & Style

Pruche employs loose, expressive strokes typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century French printmaking, allowing figures to emerge from a network of sketchy lines. The economy of line and the energetic handling of ink create a feeling of movement, emphasizing the hurried atmosphere of the street and the transient nature of the depicted moment.

History & Provenance

The print has remained in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings since its acquisition, though the precise path of ownership before entering the museum is not documented in the available record. Its presence in the collection reflects the institution’s interest in 19th‑century French graphic art and social genre scenes.