Drinks Vendor

This print, ‘Drinks Vendor,’ was made by Anne Claude Philippe Caylus, probably in the mid-18th century. It's rendered in a graphic technique called etching, which involves using acid to bite lines into a metal plate. Ink is then pressed into these lines to create an image. Look closely, and you'll see how Caylus has used the etched line to describe a person who is very much a part of the streetscape – a vendor who carries his wares on his back, offering drinks “hot or cold,” according to the caption. Prints like this were produced in multiples, almost like a form of social media. Caylus's choice of etching – a relatively inexpensive process – made it possible to distribute this image widely. It reflects the burgeoning world of commerce, where even basic needs like a refreshing drink became commodities, sold by individuals working hard to make a living. So, the next time you buy a bottle of water, remember this vendor, and the long history of labor and enterprise that connects us all.