The Peddlers 1748

Editor: Here we have Jean Moyreau’s "The Peddlers," an etching. It makes me think about trade routes. What can you tell me about the context of its production? Curator: Notice how the lines create value and texture, mimicking a painting. The labor involved in the printmaking process highlights the economic activity depicted. How do you think this image circulated and who was its intended audience? Editor: Perhaps other merchants or patrons who commissioned similar works? This has made me think about the economic system that supported art creation. Curator: Exactly. Considering the social and material conditions gives us a richer understanding.