The Faggot Seller - Anne Claude Philippe de Tubières, comte de Caylus

A detailed eighteenth-century etching depicting a Parisian street vendor, based on a design by the sculptor Edmé Bouchardon.

This etching, produced by the comte de Caylus, is part of a series documenting the street vendors and working-class figures of eighteenth-century Paris. The composition is based on a drawing by the sculptor Edmé Bouchardon, whose 'Cris de Paris' series captured the daily life of the city with directness and precision. The print depicts a woman burdened by a substantial load of firewood, her posture bent under the weight of the faggots strapped to her back.

The artist employs a clean, linear etching technique to define the forms. The cross-hatching on the wall and the rhythmic, short strokes used to render the texture of the wood demonstrate a disciplined approach to printmaking. The figure is presented in profile, standing against a simple architectural backdrop that suggests a doorway or alleyway. This focus on the individual labourer, rather than an idealised subject, reflects the interest in social observation prevalent in the period.

Caylus was a significant figure in the French art world, known for his antiquarian interests and his support of contemporary artists. By translating Bouchardon's sketches into prints, he helped disseminate these images to a wider audience. The work avoids unnecessary embellishment, presenting the subject with a clarity that allows the viewer to focus on the physical reality of the vendor's existence. The print serves as a historical record of urban life, documenting the attire and the tools of trade common to the era. The stark contrast between the dark, dense bundle of wood and the lighter tones of the woman's clothing creates a balanced visual weight, drawing the eye to the central figure. This piece is a fine example of the collaborative nature of eighteenth-century print production, where the skills of the draughtsman and the etcher combined to document the social fabric of the time.