Where can I see "Les Maris me font toujours rire" (Husbands Always Make Me Laugh)?

"Les Maris me font toujours rire" (Husbands Always Make Me Laugh) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is "Les Maris me font toujours rire" (Husbands Always Make Me Laugh)?

"Les Maris me font toujours rire" (Husbands Always Make Me Laugh) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

"Les Maris me font toujours rire" (Husbands Always Make Me Laugh)

"Les Maris me font toujours rire" (Husbands Always Make Me Laugh) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul Gavarni. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1852, this lithograph by the French illustrator known as Gavarni—born Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier—depicts a brief, comic encounter between two men. Rendered entirely in black on a sheet of wove paper, the work captures a moment of shared laughter, emphasizing everyday humor through a simple, uncluttered composition.

Subject & Meaning

The image shows a pair of figures engaged in a light‑hearted exchange: the man on the left leans back with his eyes shut, as if caught in a burst of laughter, while his companion on the right smiles and looks downward, presumably delivering the joke. The plain wall behind them isolates the scene, directing attention to the spontaneous, convivial interaction.

Technique & Style

Executed with lithographic printing, the piece relies on the contrast between dense black ink and the bright surface of wove paper. The medium allows for subtle gradations of tone, giving the figures a sense of volume and texture despite the monochrome palette. Gavarni’s line work balances precision with a sketch‑like looseness that enhances the informal atmosphere.

History & Provenance

The print has circulated among collectors of French graphic art and appears in several museum holdings that document nineteenth‑century print culture.

Printed in the mid‑19th century, the work reflects Gavarni’s broader engagement with contemporary social commentary through satire. While the artist is chiefly remembered for his illustrations in periodicals, this lithograph exemplifies his interest in everyday scenes. The print has circulated among collectors of French graphic art and appears in several museum holdings that document nineteenth‑century print culture.