Artwork
Une Lélia
Une Lélia 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
Overview
Une Lélia is a mid-19th-century print by French artist Paul Gavarni, dated circa 1857, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a standing female figure, identified as 'Une Lélia', a common designation in contemporary art for women of a certain style or demeanor. Her attire, including a long skirt and fitted jacket with high collar, alongside her pose (one hand on chest, the other holding a fan), suggests a focus on showcasing high fashion of the era.
Technique & Style
The drawing features a simple background with minimal elements (a chair and draped fabric), emphasizing the subject. The overall composition and attention to detail in the figure's clothing indicate a realistic, detailed approach typical of Gavarni's work in capturing everyday life and fashion.
History & Provenance
Created around 1857, the print is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, though specific details of its acquisition history are not provided here.
Context
Une Lélia reflects the artistic and social interests of mid-19th-century France, where depictions of contemporary fashion and everyday life were popular. Gavarni, known for his lithographs of Parisian life, contributes to this trend with this work.
Legacy
While specific influences or direct artistic lineage of Une Lélia are not detailed, it contributes to the broader legacy of Gavarni's documentation of 19th-century French society and fashion through art.
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.
