Markt in Tivoli 1746 - 1780

Jean Pelletier's print depicts a market scene in Tivoli, a town near Rome, created sometime after 1736. The work offers us a glimpse into the economic and social life of 18th-century Italy, but more importantly, it reveals the politics of representation that were inherent to the art of the period. Pelletier's Tivoli is not just a picturesque setting, but a stage upon which the drama of everyday life unfolds. The print captures the hustle and bustle of the marketplace, the interactions between vendors and customers, and the presence of livestock. By focusing on the mundane aspects of daily life, Pelletier departs from the grand historical and mythological themes that dominated academic art at the time. To fully appreciate the historical significance of this print, one would delve into archival records such as market regulations, trade statistics, and travel accounts. By contextualizing the work within its social and institutional milieu, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance as a cultural artifact.