Hay reaper!, plate 40 - Simon Guillain

A 17th-century etching by Simon Guillain depicting a hay reaper, based on a design by Annibale Carracci.

This etching by Simon Guillain, dated 1646, belongs to a series depicting the street vendors and labourers of 17th-century Bologna. The work is based on drawings by Annibale Carracci, whose influence is evident in the focus on the human figure and the observation of daily life. The composition presents a single figure, a hay reaper, captured in profile as he carries a heavy load upon his back. The artist employs a clear, descriptive line to define the form of the reaper, his simple clothing, and the tools he holds in his hand. The background is minimal, consisting only of a few horizontal lines to suggest the ground, which keeps the attention fixed on the subject.

Guillain’s technique relies on varied hatching to create volume and texture, particularly in the rendering of the hay and the folds of the reaper's tunic. The figure is depicted with a sense of physical weight and purpose, reflecting the artist's interest in the dignity of manual labour. The inclusion of the number 40 in the lower corner identifies this as part of a larger collection of prints documenting the social fabric of the period. This piece offers a glimpse into the historical reality of the working class in Italy during the Baroque era, presented with a directness that avoids idealisation. The print is a fine example of 17th-century reproductive printmaking, where the collaboration between the original draughtsman and the etcher served to disseminate artistic styles and social observations to a wider audience. The work remains a valuable record of historical costume and the tools used in agricultural tasks of the time.