Charles Joseph Traviès de Villers
1838
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This sketch shows a dramatic street scene in Paris. A man in a long coat is mid-fall, clutching his hat, while a woman in a big hat and shawl stands nearby, looking up. The buildings are rough and dark, with a dog lying on the ground. The title at the top reads *Les Rues de Paris* in bold letters. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement and chaos. The caption below jokes about a "chapelier" (hat-maker) who invented some silly gadget—maybe the fallen man’s hat. The whole scene feels messy and full of life. Next, check out Romanticism to see how this fits into the movement’s love of drama and everyday stories.
