Le paradis
1852
Edmé Jean Pigal serves up a hilarious slice of 19th-century Parisian life in this charming lithograph titled 'Le Paradis' (Paradise). Forget pearly gates and angels; for this contented, pipe-smoking gentleman, heaven is clearly a sunny window ledge, a bottle of wine, and a bit of laundry drying in the breeze while his wife works behind him. Part of a series called 'Loisirs Pigal' (Pigal's Pastimes), this print captures the simple, unpretentious joys of the working class with a touch of affectionate caricature, suggesting that true bliss is just a good smoke and a quiet afternoon.
- Technique
- Lithograph