Mardi Gras

Signed lower right margin “J. H. Lartigue”, embossed initials lower left.

Jacques-Henri Lartigue’s 1903 photograph Mardi Gras, Paris offers a whimsical glimpse into the festive atmosphere of the early 20th-century French capital. Featuring Bouboutte, Louis, Robert (Zissou), and other family members, the image captures them adorned with exaggerated masks or painted faces characterized by accentuated eyes, noses, eyebrows, and mustaches. The playful and slightly surreal appearance of the group is a hallmark of Lartigue’s ability to document joy and spontaneity.

During this period, Mardi Gras celebrations in Paris were marked by extravagant costumes, masks, and face paint. The tradition of disguising oneself dates back to the Middle Ages and was a core element of the carnival season. Masks and face paints allowed participants to shed societal norms and embrace a freer, more egalitarian spirit, symbolizing the topsy-turvy world of carnival festivities. The exaggerated features depicted in the photograph reflect the humor and theatricality typical of the time, blending personal creativity with traditional elements of Mardi Gras celebrations.

This photograph not only documents the Lartigue family’s revelry but also serves as a testament to Parisian cultural traditions of the era, where humor, artifice, and camaraderie came alive in the streets during the carnival season.