Peddler of Old Hats 1742

Editor: So, here we have Anne Claude Philippe Caylus's "Peddler of Old Hats," created in 1742. It seems to be a drawing, possibly also a print. I find it quite…stark. There's this lone figure, etched with such detail, and it has a serious feel. What strikes you when you look at this work? Curator: What I see is a powerful commentary on the working class and gender in 18th-century France. Caylus, though an aristocrat himself, seems to be engaging with social realities. Notice how the woman's clothing, while detailed, speaks to a life of labor. The "old hats" she peddles represent a kind of pre-industrial recycling, a marginalized economy largely run by women. Consider the gaze--does it strike you as submissive? Editor: Not at all. There's a strength there, despite the rough clothes. Is Caylus romanticizing the working class, do you think? Curator: I wouldn't say romanticizing. The Rococo style was known for its depictions of everyday life but this deviates from idyllic pastoral scenes. This piece feels more like a statement, portraying the realities of marginalized communities often rendered invisible. It prompts questions about visibility, representation, and the economic roles available to women in that era. What does it make you think about contemporary labor? Editor: It makes me consider who society still undervalues. Essential workers are often overlooked. It’s still very relevant, connecting the past to present inequalities. Curator: Exactly. By analyzing this print through an intersectional lens—considering class, gender, and economic disparity—we unlock its powerful, enduring message. Editor: This really changes how I see the piece; I move away from it just being a portrait of a peddler. Thank you!