Jonge boer, hoed met brede rand op het hoofd, één voet op een steen. 1685

Sébastien Leclerc I made this etching of a young farmer, with one foot on a stone, in the late 17th or early 18th century. It’s a study of a figure, and the costume gives us clues about the culture and society it was made in. France at this time was a highly stratified society. The clothing is typical of rural laborers, but it's also been suggested that this study could be of an actor on stage. Prints like this circulated widely and were collected in albums. Artists and designers could refer to them for inspiration. So, it is interesting to consider the role of the printmaker within this system. Were they neutral recorders, or did they have their own social commentary to add? To understand this print better, we need to look at the broader visual culture of the period, the fashion for costume books, and the rise of the print market. These resources allow us to understand art as both a product and a reflection of its time.