Handelaars in de Beurs van Parijs 1820 - 1833

Charles Abraham Chasselat made this print, "Handelaars in de Beurs van Parijs," using etching and engraving techniques. Reflecting the economic fervor of post-revolutionary France, the image depicts the bustling Paris stock exchange, a space dominated by men. The architecture looms large, filled with figures engaged in animated discussion. Notice how Chasselat directs our gaze, positioning us among the brokers. The trading floor presents a study in contrasts – the rigid architectural structure and the dynamic, almost chaotic, interaction of the figures. While women were largely excluded from such financial institutions, their absence speaks volumes about the gendered dimensions of economic power in the 19th century. Chasselat's image serves as a window into the intricate dance between commerce, class, and gender identity during this transformative period in European history. The print captures a moment in time, reflecting the social structures that both enabled and constrained individual opportunity.