Rabbit Pelt Peddler 1737

Anne Claude Philippe Caylus created this print called "Rabbit Pelt Peddler." Caylus, a French artist and antiquarian, captures a slice of 18th-century Parisian street life. The image depicts a man, likely of the working class, selling rabbit pelts, essential for clothing during this era. What strikes me is the man's posture, looking upwards, perhaps calling out to potential customers. His gaze suggests a longing, maybe for better sales, or perhaps a larger commentary on the economic disparities of the time. Interestingly, Caylus, a nobleman himself, chose to depict everyday people, indicating the rising interest in representing all social classes during the Enlightenment. However, it is worth noting that this representation might also serve to reinforce existing class structures by portraying the working class in a particular light, for an aristocratic audience. What remains is the emotional weight of labor and survival, inviting us to reflect on the historical conditions and human experiences embedded in this seemingly simple street scene.