Gavarni

1850 · 6500 — Bath c. 1850. Very Good. 1 page 205 x 129mm; small cello tape repair on lower left later docketed Alfred Guidant and Gavarni lightly toned. Gavarni was a French illustrator and caricaturist whose work is widely known for its polished wit and cultured observation of life of his time. About 1831 Gavarni began publishing his ironic scenes of contemporary life and praise from writers such as Honore de Balzac gained him popularity. Gavarni worked for journals like La Mode L'Artiste La Silhouette his most known work appeared in Charivari and the weekly paper L'Illustration. He also illustrated the first collective edition of Balzac's works and Eugene Sue's Wandering Jew. He is known for his sketches of social contrasts between extremes of luxury and poverty. This tendency was strengthened by a visit to England in 1849. He returned from London deeply impressed with the scenes of misery and degradation which he had observed among the lower classes of that city. This unique autograph poem and combined letter with mention of delivering the letter by Alfred Guidant of London refers to the English land as friend to which he greets with a hearty "Bonjour l'anglais." The message clearly reflects Gavarni's newfound confidence and solidarity with human nature found opposite the English Channel. <br/><br/> unknown books