Artwork
Carrier
Carrier is a print by the Impressionist artist Paul Gavarni. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Carrier is a print by Paul Gavarni, created around 1857, and is now held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a weary man standing on a hillside, with a faint cityscape behind him. The title 'Carrier' and the accompanying phrase 'Paris, it eats lead!' suggest the hardships faced by workers, reflecting the artist's interest in capturing the lives of ordinary people.
Technique & Style
Gavarni's sketch is characterized by its light, expressive lines, with the cityscape and trees drawn faintly in the background. The man's slumped posture and worn clothes convey a sense of fatigue and hardship.
Context
Carrier is part of Gavarni's series 'Physionomies Parisiennes', which explores the faces and lives of Parisians. The work is associated with the Realism movement, which focused on depicting everyday life and the struggles of ordinary people.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Gavarni was the pen name of Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier (13 January 1804 – 24 November 1866), a French illustrator, born in Paris.
