Artwork
Souvenirs du Bal Chicard: Mignon-Minard
Souvenirs du Bal Chicard: Mignon-Minard 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
Souvenirs du Bal Chicard: Mignon-Minard, a print by French artist Paul Gavarni from 1843, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work captures a dynamic figure in a expressive pose, set against a minimalist background.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, identified as Mignon-Minard at the bottom of the print, is depicted in a theatrical gesture, possibly dancing or acting, emphasizing drama in everyday life. The title suggests it was part of a series documenting Paris's Chicard Ball, a popular gathering place.
Technique & Style
Gavarni's use of rough background lines and detailed, expressive rendering of the subject's attire (checkered shirt, white pants, tall black boots) and wild hair focuses attention on the figure. This contrasts between detail and simplicity may reflect influences of Romanticism, which often highlighted emotional intensity.
History & Provenance
Created in 1843, the print is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
The work aligns with the Romantic movement's tendency to blend drama with quotidian subjects, in this case, a possibly ordinary individual in an extraordinary, expressive moment at a Parisian dance hall.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of 'Souvenirs du Bal Chicard: Mignon-Minard' are not outlined, it contributes to the broader understanding of 19th-century French printmaking and the capture of Parisian social life during the Romantic era.
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.
