Who painted Et pas le Sou pour Souper?

Et pas le Sou pour Souper was painted by Paul Gavarni in 1835.

Where can I see Et pas le Sou pour Souper?

Et pas le Sou pour Souper is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Et pas le Sou pour Souper?

Et pas le Sou pour Souper is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Et pas le Sou pour Souper?

Museum-quality prints of Et pas le Sou pour Souper are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Et pas le Sou pour Souper

Paul Gavarni , 1835

Et pas le Sou pour Souper is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Paul Gavarni. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Executed with pen, red and brown ink, and watercolor accents highlighted in white, the work measures a modest size typical of his sketchbook studies.

Created in 1835, *Et pas le Sou pour Souper* is a drawing by the French illustrator Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier, known professionally as Gavarni. Executed with pen, red and brown ink, and watercolor accents highlighted in white, the work measures a modest size typical of his sketchbook studies. It captures a fleeting moment on a cobbled street, reflecting the everyday urban life of early‑19th‑century Paris.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents two figures strolling side by side along a stone‑paved road. The left figure, shaded in a brown coat and a light patterned dress, wears a wide‑brimmed hat, while the companion on the right, with disheveled hair and a fur‑collared jacket, appears engaged in a subdued exchange. Their serious expressions suggest a quiet conversation, perhaps hinting at social tension or a mundane dispute over a modest expense.

Technique & Style

Gavarni employs rapid, gestural lines to outline the figures and the uneven cobblestones, while loose watercolor washes provide a muted tonal background. Red and brown inks define clothing folds and architectural details, and selective white highlights accentuate the shine on the hat brim and street surface. The overall effect is a lively, sketch‑like rendering that balances spontaneity with careful observation.

History & Provenance

The drawing originates from Gavarni’s prolific period in the 1830s, when he supplied illustrations for newspapers and periodicals. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among his early urban studies, reflecting his interest in contemporary Parisian scenes. It remains part of a private collection that has loaned the piece for exhibitions on 19th‑century French illustration.

Context

During the 1830s, Paris underwent rapid modernization, and artists like Gavarni documented the changing streetscapes and social interactions. His focus on ordinary people and everyday moments aligns with the broader realist tendencies emerging in French art, preceding the more formalized genre scenes of later decades. The drawing thus offers a visual snapshot of the city’s atmosphere before the Haussmannian transformations.