The Rat Catcher c. 18th century

Curator: This etching, "The Rat Catcher" by Christian von Mechel, presents a figure who is, shall we say, intriguingly equipped for his profession. What’s your immediate take? Editor: Eerie, but also a bit comical. The dead rats hanging from that contraption, topped with live ones... it's a potent visual symbol, wouldn't you say? A walking emblem of death and pestilence, yet somehow still entertaining. Curator: Absolutely. And remember, the rat catcher in this era was not merely a pest controller. He was a social pariah, dealing with disease and societal anxieties. Editor: Those hanging rats could represent the sins he carries away, the literal embodiment of the town's problems. And a live rat perched atop his head… Is that hubris, do you think, or a bizarre crown? Curator: Perhaps both! It reminds us that even those deemed repulsive have a place, an almost sacred function, in society’s ecosystem. Editor: Indeed. It's a powerful image, loaded with meaning that lingers beyond its immediate depiction. Curator: A stark reminder of the roles society assigns, and the symbols they carry. Editor: A grim, but insightful glimpse into a world we'd rather forget.