Fine Art Poster
From $29
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Self-Portrait - Paul Gavarni
Regular price
$29.00 USD
Sale price
$29.00 USD
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
A refined 1845 lithographic self-portrait by the French illustrator Paul Gavarni, capturing the artist with characteristic psychological depth and technical precision.
This lithographic self-portrait by Paul Gavarni, dated 1845, captures the artist at the height of his career as a prominent French caricaturist and illustrator. Gavarni, born Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier, was a keen observer of Parisian life, known for his sharp wit and technical precision. In this work, he presents himself with a direct, contemplative gaze, his features rendered with the characteristic fluidity of his lithographic style.
The composition relies on the interplay of light and shadow, a hallmark of the mid-nineteenth-century French print tradition. Gavarni uses hatching and cross-hatching to build volume in his coat and the surrounding space, creating a sense of depth that draws the viewer to his face. His posture is relaxed yet composed, reflecting the persona of the bohemian artist common in the period. The subtle textures of his cravat and the loose, naturalistic treatment of his hair demonstrate his mastery over the lithographic stone.
As a figure who documented the social strata of Paris, from the bourgeoisie to the working classes, Gavarni often infused his work with a sense of psychological realism. This self-portrait is no exception. It avoids the theatricality sometimes found in contemporary portraiture, opting instead for a quiet, personal honesty. The print serves as a record of the artist's own appearance during his most productive years, when his contributions to journals like Le Charivari shaped the visual culture of the July Monarchy. The technical execution, particularly the soft transitions in the shading, shows why Gavarni was held in such high regard by his peers and collectors of the era. This museum-grade print preserves the tonal nuances of the original lithograph, offering a clear view into the artistic identity of one of France's most prolific graphic observers.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Complete The Look
Self-Portrait - Paul Gavarni
Regular price
From $29.00 USD
Sale price
From $29.00 USD
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Paul Gavarni
Gavarni was imprisoned for debt in 1835 after his magazine, the Journal of High Society, failed after eighteen issues. He served nearly a year. The experience did not prevent him from becoming the most stylish caricaturist in Paris, but it may explain the darkness that crept into his later work.
His real name was Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier. He adopted "Gavarni" from the town of Gavarnie in the Pyrenees after a journey there. He was born in Paris in 1804, worked as a machinist in a factory, and taught himself to draw in evening classes. By the 1830s he was the leading illustrator of Parisian social life: fashionable women, carnival scenes, lorettes and debardeurs, all rendered with a wit and polish that Balzac praised publicly and that helped establish Gavarni's reputation.
After the deaths of his mother and the collapse of his marriage around 1845, his style shifted. He spent time in London documenting the lives of the poor, producing work that was bleaker and more compassionate than his Paris satire. His catalogue raisonne lists approximately eight thousand works. He is often compared with his contemporary Daumier, though Gavarni's satire was more polished and less political. He died in Paris in 1866.
His real name was Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier. He adopted "Gavarni" from the town of Gavarnie in the Pyrenees after a journey there. He was born in Paris in 1804, worked as a machinist in a factory, and taught himself to draw in evening classes. By the 1830s he was the leading illustrator of Parisian social life: fashionable women, carnival scenes, lorettes and debardeurs, all rendered with a wit and polish that Balzac praised publicly and that helped establish Gavarni's reputation.
After the deaths of his mother and the collapse of his marriage around 1845, his style shifted. He spent time in London documenting the lives of the poor, producing work that was bleaker and more compassionate than his Paris satire. His catalogue raisonne lists approximately eight thousand works. He is often compared with his contemporary Daumier, though Gavarni's satire was more polished and less political. He died in Paris in 1866.
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Fine Art Framed
From $89
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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