Stoelenverkoper 1660

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli created this etching, "Stoelenverkoper," in the 17th century. The print depicts a figure who sells images, which are held in a basket and fanned out on sticks, for easier viewing. He holds one image up to his face, obscuring his features. In the 1600s, Bologna, where Mitelli lived and worked, was under papal rule, a society marked by strict social hierarchies, and the Catholic Church played a dominant role in daily life. This image is from a series of prints that Mitelli made representing different trades or professions. Mitelli uses the figure of the seller to explore themes of labor and commerce. The man's bare feet and modest clothing contrast sharply with the luxury items he peddles, highlighting the economic disparities of the time. The print captures a transient moment, a seller in the act of offering his wares. The Italian inscription hints at the images being tokens of love. Mitelli's print invites us to reflect on both the intimate and economic exchanges that shape our lives.