Reverse Copy of Le Paysan Portant sa Pelle sur L'Épaule (The Peasant Carrying his Shovel over his Shoulder), from Les Caprices Series A, The Florence Set 1620 - 1700

This small print, "Reverse Copy of Le Paysan Portant sa Pelle sur L'Épaule" is part of a series known as “The Florence Set.” Made by an anonymous artist, the image depicts a peasant carrying a shovel. Reflecting the lives of the working class, the print raises questions about labor, value, and representation. Peasants were often romanticized or demonized in art, embodying either an idealized rural simplicity or a symbol of social unrest. This image seems to bypass those stereotypes, presenting a more ambiguous figure marked by the physical toil of daily life. The slight stoop and use of a walking stick might suggest that labor takes a toll on the body. Consider how the artist, while potentially detached from the peasant class, engages with these themes. Does the work evoke empathy, or does it reinforce a social hierarchy? The anonymity of the artist further complicates our reading, challenging the traditional emphasis on authorship and individual expression. It speaks to the collective, often unseen labor that sustains society, prompting us to reflect on who is seen and unseen in the art world.