Artwork
Histoire du Costume en France: Parisiens
Histoire du Costume en France: Parisiens 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
Paul Gavarni’s 1843 print titled Histoire du Costume en France: Parisiens is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. The work presents a fashionable Parisian couple, shown from behind, offering a concise visual record of mid‑nineteenth‑century attire.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a man in a long coat, hat and boots alongside a woman in a full‑skirted dress, the man’s arm resting on her waist. By positioning the figures away from the viewer, Gavarni emphasizes the silhouette of contemporary dress rather than individual identity, suggesting a broader commentary on social presentation.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Romantic idiom, the print features bold contour lines and a fluid handling of form. A restrained palette of earth tones lends the scene a muted, nostalgic atmosphere, while the expressive strokes convey movement within the static pose.
History & Provenance
Created in 1843, the print was later acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its inclusion in the museum’s holdings reflects the institution’s interest in documenting French visual culture of the 1800s.
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.
