Artwork
The Working-man's Birthday
The Working-man's Birthday is a print by the Romanticist artist Paul Gavarni. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Working-man's Birthday, a circa 1804 print by Paul Gavarni, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. This black-and-white sketch depicts a warm, cluttered interior scene with five figures engaged in various activities around a table.
Subject & Meaning
The scene gathers two older men in robes in conversation, a woman with a child, and another observing child. Symbolic elements, such as a cross on the table and a globe on shelves, suggest an interplay between mundane life and potentially deeper, contemplative themes.
Technique & Style
Gavarni employs chiaroscuro to create a sense of warmth and intimacy, leveraging light and shadow to define the space and engage the viewer. The composition's clutter and everyday details contribute to a sense of lived experience.
History & Provenance
Created around 1804, the work's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here. Its current location provides public access to this example of Gavarni's early 19th-century printmaking.
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.
