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Paul Gavarni Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Paul Gavarni our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Paul Gavarni · 1804 – 1866

The Commentary (1843) by Paul Gavarni

1843 · Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · original 19 x 14 cm

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #1: The Commentary

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17026 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Self-Portrait

1842 · Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17027 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Paul Gavarni: Young peasant woman sitting on a rock

British Museum, London · original 23 x 16 cm

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #3: Young peasant woman sitting on a rock

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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Les appres du bal

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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Paul Gavarni: Portrait of Edmond and Jules de Goncourt

Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #5: Portrait of Edmond and Jules de Goncourt

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$19529 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

A Sailor Standing on the Shore – Paul Gavarni

1860 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 33 x 23 cm

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #6: A Sailor Standing on the Shore

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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What a Dreadful Salon (1839) by Paul Gavarni

1839 · Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #7: What a Dreadful Salon

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The Barmaid, Paul Gavarni

1851 · The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

Discover 'The Barmaid' by Paul Gavarni – a captivating 1851 watercolor depicting Victorian London life. Romantic style, elegant details & serene mood. Explore this unique artwork!

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #8: The Barmaid

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17027 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Paul Gavarni, The agent of the street of Jerusalem (1841)

1841

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #9: The agent of the street of Jerusalem

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17025 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Crown Prosecutor de Villefort in 1838 by Paul Gavarni, 1846

1846

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #10: Crown Prosecutor de Villefort in 1838

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17026 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Paul Gavarni: Carnival in Paris.

Discover "Carnival in Paris" by Paul Gavarni – a captivating black & white drawing of Parisian life. Explore Gavarni's unique style and charm. A timeless art piece!

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #11: Carnival in Paris.

Art Movement: Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17030 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Corsican Bertuccio - before he became steward of the Count of Monte Cristo by Paul Gavarni

1846

Discover Paul Gavarni’s ‘Corsican Bertuccio’ – a captivating 1846 drawing of the Count of Monte Cristo's steward. A glimpse into his past, rendered in classic black & white style.

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #12: Corsican Bertuccio - before he became steward of the Count of Monte Cristo

Art Movement: Realism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17027 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

flower-market – Paul Gavarni

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #13: flower-market

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Encre et rehauts de blanc

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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Lithography for the series "Les Enfants Terribles''

Paul Gavarni’s "Les Enfants Terribles" lithograph evokes melancholy through a poignant scene of an elderly man & boy. Romantic style, intricate cross-hatching, & French 19th-century art.

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$19530 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

General, peer of France, Comte de Morcer in 1838 – Paul Gavarni

1846

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #16: General, peer of France, Comte de Morcer in 1838

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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An employee of the fitter of Morrel Cocles in 1829, Paul Gavarni

1846

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #17: An employee of the fitter of Morrel Cocles in 1829

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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Pupil and slave of the Count of Monte Cristo, Albanian Greek (Orthodox) Gaide in 1838, 1846, Paul Gavarni

1846

Admire Gavarni’s poignant drawing of Gaide, an Albanian Greek slave, from 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. A captivating 1846 lithograph in black & white, showcasing Parisian realism and dramatic storytelling. Hand-painted reproductions available.

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #18: Pupil and slave of the Count of Monte Cristo, Albanian Greek (Orthodox) Gaide in 1838

Art Movement: Realism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17027 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Ruined Armator Morrel in Marseille in 1829 by Paul Gavarni, 1846

1846

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #19: Ruined Armator Morrel in Marseille in 1829

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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The paralyzed Bonapartist Girondist Noirtier de Villefort in 1838 by Paul Gavarni

1846

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #20: The paralyzed Bonapartist Girondist Noirtier de Villefort in 1838

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17027 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Paul Gavarni: Lady with a street boy

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #21: Lady with a street boy

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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A cavalry trumpeter on horseback. Courtesy of the British Museum (London).

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17024 × 42 cm Commission this artwork

Watercolor, bodycolor, graphite

Discover Paul Gavarni’s evocative watercolor illustration of a passionate embrace. Explore 19th-century romance & delicate lines in this intimate historical scene.

Art Movement: Realism
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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Untitled (988)

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

At the Mont de piéte (1850)

1850 · Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Buenos Aires · original 27 x 21 cm

View the most popular artwork of Paul Gavarni ranked #25: At the Mont de piéte

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 29 artworks by Paul Gavarni
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

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The artist

Paul Gavarni

1804 – 1866

Quick facts

Color intensitymonochromatic, vivid, balanced
Also known asHippolyte-Guillaume-Sulpice Chevalier, Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier, Gavarni, Paul Gavarnie, Sulpice-Paul Chevalier
Creative periodsmature period
Lifespan62 years
Movementsromanticism
Died1866
Art period19th Century
Born1804, Paris, France

Biography

A Chronicler of Parisian Life: The World of Paul Gavarni

Paul Gavarni, born Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier in Paris on January 13th, 1804, wasn’t merely an illustrator; he was a visual storyteller who captured the spirit of his age with remarkable wit and sensitivity. Though initially trained as a watercolorist, it was under the pseudonym “Gavarni” that he rose to prominence, becoming synonymous with the vibrant, often satirical depiction of Parisian society in the 19th century. His career unfolded during a period of immense social change – the Restoration, the July Monarchy, and the Second Empire – and his art served as both a mirror reflecting these transformations and a gentle critique of their excesses.

Gavarni’s early artistic endeavors were largely overshadowed by financial constraints. He initially pursued legal studies at his father's insistence but quickly abandoned them for the allure of drawing, finding employment creating fashion plates and illustrations for various publications. This period honed his technical skills and introduced him to the demands of commercial art. However, it was his collaboration with Honoré de Balzac that proved pivotal. Commissioned to illustrate Balzac’s Scènes de la vie privée et de la vie publique in 1832, Gavarni found a literary partner who shared his keen observation of human nature and social dynamics. These illustrations weren't simply accompaniments to the text; they were integral to its impact, adding layers of nuance and character to Balzac’s already richly detailed narratives.

Satire and Social Commentary

The 1840s marked Gavarni’s ascent as a leading caricaturist. He became a key contributor to publications like Le Charivari, a satirical newspaper founded by Charles Philipon, alongside artists such as Honoré Daumier. Here, his talent for capturing the nuances of Parisian life truly blossomed. His lithographs weren’t crude or overtly aggressive; instead, they employed subtle irony and keen observation to expose the foibles and pretensions of the bourgeoisie. He depicted scenes from cafes and salons, theaters and boulevards, revealing a society obsessed with appearances and social climbing. His work often focused on the plight of women – their limited opportunities, societal pressures, and vulnerability in a patriarchal world.

Gavarni’s satirical eye wasn't confined to Paris alone. In 1843-44, he embarked on a journey to England, resulting in the publication of London Sketches. This series offered a fascinating glimpse into Victorian London, contrasting its grandeur with its social inequalities and highlighting the stark realities of poverty alongside aristocratic opulence. The English sketches demonstrate his ability to adapt his observational skills to different cultural contexts, revealing universal themes of class disparity and human resilience.

A Legacy Beyond Caricature

While celebrated for his satirical drawings, Gavarni’s artistic range extended beyond caricature. He was a skilled watercolorist, producing delicate and evocative scenes that showcased his mastery of light and color. His illustrations also encompassed historical subjects and literary themes, demonstrating his versatility as an artist. He even ventured into sculpture, though this aspect of his work remains less well-known.

Gavarni’s influence on subsequent generations of artists is undeniable. His ability to blend social commentary with artistic finesse paved the way for modern illustration and graphic art. Artists like Toulouse-Lautrec and Forain acknowledged their debt to his pioneering work, adopting his techniques and continuing his tradition of capturing the spirit of urban life. His legacy lies not only in the beauty and wit of his individual drawings but also in his ability to elevate caricature from a mere form of entertainment to a powerful tool for social critique.

Later Years and Enduring Appeal

In his later years, Gavarni continued to produce illustrations and watercolors, though his output diminished. He died in Paris on November 24th, 1866, leaving behind a vast body of work that continues to captivate audiences today. His drawings offer a unique window into the social and cultural landscape of 19th-century France and England, providing invaluable insights into the lives and preoccupations of his contemporaries.

The enduring appeal of Paul Gavarni’s art stems from its timeless quality. His observations about human nature – our vanities, our aspirations, and our vulnerabilities – remain remarkably relevant in the 21st century. He wasn't simply documenting a specific time and place; he was capturing something universal about the human condition, making his work as compelling today as it was over 150 years ago.

Questions & Answers

Is there an overview of all the subjects Paul Gavarni painted?

Paul Gavarni's works can be explored by subject on the artist's Subject Atlas page.

Where is Paul Gavarni from?

Paul Gavarni was born in France.

Can I visit a virtual museum of Paul Gavarni's works?

Paul Gavarni's artworks can be seen in a 3D gallery on the artist's 3D Museum page.

By the AllPaintingsStore.com Editorial Team Updated May 31, 2026

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