Artwork
Costumes d' Humann
Costumes d' Humann is a print by the Romanticist artist Paul Gavarni. It dates from 1843 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1843 by French illustrator Paul Gavarni, Costumes d’Humann is a printed image in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a solitary figure in a dark overcoat and top hat, set against an urban backdrop that includes a horse‑drawn carriage and surrounding buildings.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a gentleman whose posture—hands tucked into his pockets and gaze directed forward—conveys a calm, self‑contained demeanor. The surrounding cityscape situates the scene within a bustling 19th‑century European environment, inviting viewers to consider themes of urban anonymity and the social codes of dress.
Technique & Style
Gavarni employs line work and tonal shading to model the coat’s folds and the architectural forms, creating a sense of volume and spatial recession. The print’s texture and contrast align with Romantic tendencies toward expressive detail, while the crisp delineation reflects the artist’s background in caricature and illustration.
History & Provenance
Since its production in the early 1840s, the print has passed through private collections before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its documented provenance traces a typical 19th‑century trajectory from French print shops to American institutional holdings.
Context
Costumes d’Humann belongs to a period when French visual culture frequently examined contemporary fashion and urban life. Gavarni’s work, often published in satirical journals, captured the nuances of middle‑class attire, offering a visual commentary that resonates with broader Romantic interests in individual experience and societal change.
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.
