A hand-coloured lithograph by Louis-Léopold Boilly from 1827, depicting a gentleman offering his coat to a destitute man on a Parisian street.

Louis-Léopold Boilly was a keen observer of Parisian life, known for his ability to capture the social dynamics of the early nineteenth century. This lithograph, titled 'Pauvre homme couvrez vous', depicts a scene of charitable interaction on a city street. A well-dressed gentleman in a top hat and tailcoat offers his own coat to an elderly, destitute man who sits huddled against a stone wall. Beside the older man, a young boy and a woman, both appearing in states of poverty, complete the group. The title, which translates to 'Poor man, cover yourself', serves as a direct commentary on the act of benevolence shown by the central figure. Boilly utilised the medium of lithography to reach a wider audience, moving away from the exclusivity of oil painting. His technical approach here is precise, with fine lines defining the textures of the clothing and the weary expressions of the figures. The composition is balanced, placing the benefactor in a standing position that contrasts with the seated, vulnerable posture of the recipients. The background remains sparse, ensuring the viewer focuses entirely on the interaction between the social classes. The hand-coloured elements add a subtle layer of realism to the print, drawing attention to the specific garments worn by the figures. This work reflects the artist's interest in the everyday realities of urban existence, documenting the disparities present in post-Revolutionary France. Through his careful rendering of gesture and costume, Boilly provides a window into the social attitudes of the period, capturing a moment of human connection amidst the harsh conditions of street life.