Who painted Two Men Arguing?

Two Men Arguing was painted by Paul Gavarni in 1835.

Where can I see Two Men Arguing?

Two Men Arguing is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Two Men Arguing?

Two Men Arguing is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Two Men Arguing

Paul Gavarni , 1835

Two Men Arguing is a graphite 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

Created in 1835 by the Paris‑born illustrator known as Gavarni, this graphite drawing records a brief, animated encounter between two men on an urban street. The work belongs to the artist’s prolific output of mid‑19th‑century sketches that document everyday social moments with a direct, unembellished eye.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a heated exchange: one figure, gesturing with a rolled sheet or stick, appears to be shouting, while the other, shown from behind, wears a dark coat and a feather‑adorned hat. The scene suggests a spontaneous, public dispute, reflecting the bustling, sometimes confrontational atmosphere of contemporary city life.

Technique & Style

Rendered entirely in graphite, the drawing relies on swift, loose strokes and minimal shading to convey motion and immediacy. The line work is economical yet expressive, allowing the viewer to sense the tension and dynamism of the argument without detailed modeling, a hallmark of Gavarni’s observational approach.

History & Provenance

Gavarni, active during the mid‑19th century, produced this piece as part of his broader contribution to French visual culture, particularly through periodicals and caricature. While the drawing’s early ownership record is sparse, it remains associated with the artist’s oeuvre of street‑level studies that informed later realist and romantic depictions of urban life.