Wooden Slats (Plate 56) - Simon Guillain

A seventeenth-century etching by Simon Guillain depicting a labourer carrying tools, part of a series documenting Parisian tradespeople.

This etching by Simon Guillain, dated 1646, belongs to a series depicting the street vendors and tradespeople of seventeenth-century Paris. The figure is a labourer, captured in a moment of transit with his tools of the trade. He carries a large wooden implement over his shoulder, while an axe hangs from his right hand. His clothing is simple and functional, reflecting the reality of his occupation. The background features a modest townscape, rendered with light, economical lines that suggest a rural or suburban setting rather than the dense urban centre of Paris.

Guillain employs a clear, descriptive etching style. The lines are precise, defining the folds of the man's tunic and the texture of the wood with equal clarity. The composition is straightforward, placing the subject in the foreground to ensure the viewer focuses on the individual and his equipment. This work is characteristic of the period's interest in documenting the various social strata of French society. By focusing on a manual worker, Guillain provides a glimpse into the daily life of the working class during the mid-seventeenth century. The print avoids idealisation, presenting the subject with a weary, realistic expression. The cross-hatching used to create shadow and volume demonstrates the technical skill common to printmakers of the era. This piece offers a window into the visual culture of the seventeenth century, where the depiction of common trades became a popular subject for artists and collectors alike. It remains a valuable historical record of the tools, attire, and social presence of labourers in the early modern period.