Artwork
Une Bonne
Une Bonne is a print by the Romanticist artist Paul Gavarni. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
To learn more about the artistic style and techniques used in this painting, explore the Romanticism movement.
The painting depicts a woman standing in front of a building, dressed in a long skirt and jacket. She is holding an umbrella and has a headscarf tied around her head. The background is a city street with buildings and a sidewalk.
The woman's attire and the setting suggest a scene from everyday life in the 19th century. The artist's use of shading and texture adds depth to the image.
To learn more about the artistic style and techniques used in this painting, explore the Romanticism movement.
Overview
Created around 1857 by French illustrator Paul Gavarni, this print titled “Une Bonne” is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. It presents a solitary figure positioned before an urban façade, rendered in the crisp lines and tonal contrasts typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century graphic work.
Subject & Meaning
The image shows a woman, likely a domestic servant, standing on a city sidewalk. She wears a long skirt, a jacket, a headscarf, and holds an umbrella, suggesting a moment of pause amid daily chores. The composition captures a slice of ordinary urban life, emphasizing the modest dignity of working‑class individuals.
Technique & Style
Gavarni employs fine hatching and delicate shading to model the figure and suggest the texture of fabric and stone. The print’s tonal range creates depth, while the clear outlines reflect the influence of Romantic-era illustration, balancing realistic detail with a slightly idealized atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in the late 1850s, a period when Gavarni was prolific in publishing satirical and genre scenes. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, joining a broader collection of European prints that document everyday life in the nineteenth century.
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.
