A portée de lorgnon
1847
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1847
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This sketch shows two people in fancy 1840s clothes. The man wears a tall black hat, a long coat, and striped pants, holding a cane. The woman stands with her back to us, dressed in a long dress and bonnet, looking at something. The background is dark and blurry, like a foggy street at night. The title *A portée de lorgnon* hints this might be about gossip or secret glances—maybe the man is spotting something scandalous. The loose, sketchy lines make it feel quick and lively, like a snapshot of city life. If you like this style, check out Romanticism for more dramatic, everyday scenes.
