Man met kabinet en toeschouwers c. 1750 - 1754

Noël Le Mire created this print, "Man met kabinet en toeschouwers," sometime in the 18th century, and it now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The image presents a spectacle: a man operating a cabinet, drawing a crowd of onlookers. This scene offers a glimpse into the social life and visual culture of the time. The print was made in France at a time of burgeoning print culture, and we can ask: who was the audience for this print? What kinds of cultural exchange did prints enable? The figures depicted seem captivated by the spectacle, perhaps reflecting the growing public interest in visual media and entertainment. The image hints at social stratification. What do details like dress and setting tell us about the status of the figures involved? To fully understand this print, we might delve into the history of street entertainment in 18th-century France, and analyze the socio-economic context in which such images circulated. In doing so, we can appreciate how art reflects and shapes social attitudes.