Comb-maker - Simon Guillain

A seventeenth-century etching by Simon Guillain depicting a Parisian street vendor, part of a series documenting urban trades.

This etching by Simon Guillain depicts a street vendor, specifically a comb-maker, captured in profile. The work belongs to a series documenting the various trades and street cries of seventeenth-century Paris. Guillain, a sculptor and printmaker, executed these plates after drawings by Annibale Carracci, whose influence is noted in the lower right corner of the print. The composition is straightforward, focusing on the figure of the vendor who carries a basket of wares, demonstrating the daily life of the urban working class during the period.

The line work is precise and economical, typical of the etching techniques employed in the mid-seventeenth century. Guillain uses hatching to define the folds of the vendor's clothing and the texture of his cap, while the background remains largely unadorned to keep the attention on the subject. The vendor is shown in a moment of activity, holding a comb in one hand while his basket rests on his arm. This series provides a visual record of social history, documenting the attire and tools of tradespeople who populated the streets of Paris. The print is numbered 20, indicating its place within the larger collection of street figures.

As a historical document, the image offers insight into the economic life of the era. The vendor's attire, including his cap and layered garments, reflects the practical clothing of a labourer. The simplicity of the etching style allows for a clear view of the subject without unnecessary ornamentation. This print is a representative example of the genre of street cries, which were popular subjects for artists across Europe during the Baroque period. It captures a fleeting moment of urban existence, preserved through the medium of printmaking.