Artwork

C'etais "pour se donner des forces"

C'etais "pour se donner des forces", by Paul Gavarni, ink, 1845
C'etais "pour se donner des forces", by Paul Gavarni, ink, 1845

C'etais "pour se donner des forces" is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Paul Gavarni. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

C'etais 'pour se donner des forces' is a drawing created by Paul Gavarni around 1845. It is executed in pen and brown, blue, and red ink, heightened with white, on brown prepared paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a man slumped on a bench, conveying exhaustion through his loose clothing and heavy posture. The title, 'C'etais pour se donner des forces,' translates to 'It was to gather strength,' suggesting the man's state is one of fatigue rather than despair.

Technique & Style

Gavarni employed a range of inks and delicate, expressive linework to capture the scene. The use of cross-hatching and shading techniques creates a sense of depth and emphasizes the man's weariness.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Paul Gavarni

Artist

Paul Gavarni

Paul Gavarni was the pen name of Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier (13 January 1804 – 24 November 1866), a French illustrator, born in Paris.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.