Who painted Baliverneries Parisiennes: Ah! Monsieu Radiguet?

Baliverneries Parisiennes: Ah! Monsieu Radiguet was painted by Paul Gavarni in 1847.

Where can I see Baliverneries Parisiennes: Ah! Monsieu Radiguet?

Baliverneries Parisiennes: Ah! Monsieu Radiguet is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Baliverneries Parisiennes: Ah! Monsieu Radiguet?

Baliverneries Parisiennes: Ah! Monsieu Radiguet is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Baliverneries Parisiennes: Ah! Monsieu Radiguet

Paul Gavarni , 1847

Baliverneries Parisiennes: Ah! Monsieu Radiguet is a print by the Romanticist artist Paul Gavarni. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2009.528
Credit line: Gift of John Bonebrake

About this work

Overview

Created in 1847, this print by Paul Gavarni forms part of the series titled Baliverneries Parisiennes. It is currently part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, which holds several works by the French illustrator. The image captures a brief, intimate exchange between two men within an interior setting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows a pair of gentlemen engaged in dialogue. The figure on the left, clothed in a long coat, holds his hat, suggesting a moment of pause, while the other, in a suit with hands on his hips, appears poised and attentive. The interaction conveys a quiet seriousness, hinting at a conversation of personal or social significance.

Technique & Style

Gavarni employs strong, expressive line work combined with chiaroscuro shading to model the figures, giving them a sense of three‑dimensionality. The contrast of light and dark defines the forms and directs focus toward the central exchange. The overall aesthetic reflects the mid‑nineteenth‑century French print tradition, emphasizing narrative clarity through crisp outlines and tonal depth.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in the late 1840s, a period when Gavarni was prolific in publishing satirical and genre scenes. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings as part of its broader acquisition of Gavarni’s oeuvre, joining other prints that illustrate his contribution to Parisian visual culture.