Décroteur et Ramoneur (Scraper and Chimney Sweep) 1798 - 1807

Jean Duplessis-Bertaux made this print, "Scraper and Chimney Sweep," using etching. It provides a glimpse into the working lives of ordinary people. Looking closely, we see the detailed depiction of labor. The "scraper," or shoeshiner, is bent over his work, providing a service to the well-to-do, while the chimney sweep is perhaps the figure in the background. The print likely originated in France, a country known for its class divisions and the visibility of its working class in urban settings. Prints like these served a vital role in circulating images of everyday life to a broader public. To fully understand its context, researching the social and economic conditions of the time is crucial. We could ask questions about labor practices, class structures, and the role of visual media in shaping public perceptions. We can use libraries and archives to find related imagery and documents that help us to understand the artwork in its original context.