Selling mixing spoons, spindles, and platters!, plate 37 - Simon Guillain

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Simon Guillain depicting a Parisian street vendor carrying wooden household wares.

This etching by Simon Guillain belongs to a series documenting the street vendors of seventeenth-century Paris. The work captures a merchant carrying a collection of wooden household goods, including mixing spoons, spindles, and platters, balanced on a tray. Guillain, a sculptor and printmaker, employs a clean, linear style that focuses on the physical presence of the figure rather than atmospheric detail. The subject is depicted in profile, moving across the frame with a sense of purpose. The cross-hatching used to define the folds of the clothing and the texture of the wooden wares demonstrates the technical precision typical of the period.

By documenting the common tradespeople of the city, Guillain provides a record of urban life during the mid-seventeenth century. These prints were often collected as curiosities, offering a glimpse into the social strata of Paris. The figure wears a simple hat and practical attire, reflecting the utilitarian nature of his occupation. The composition is sparse, placing the vendor against a plain background to ensure the viewer focuses on the tools of his trade. The etching technique allows for sharp, clear lines that define the contours of the objects and the posture of the man. This print is a representative example of the 'Cris de Paris' genre, which sought to catalogue the various characters encountered on the streets. The work remains a valuable historical document for those interested in the material culture and social history of the Baroque era.