Reproductie van Les Saltimbanques door Gustave Doré c. 1874 - 1879

This reproduction of "Les Saltimbanques," or "The Acrobats," after Gustave Doré, was made by Charles Michelez in 1817, though the exact date remains unknown. It depicts a scene of itinerant performers, offering a glimpse into the lives of those on the margins of 19th-century French society. Doré and, by extension, Michelez capture the vulnerability of street performers, those who exist outside traditional institutions. With their costumes and exaggerated expressions, we can see the image conveys a sense of melancholy beneath the surface of their performance. The performers' gaunt faces and tattered clothing hint at the harsh realities of their existence. By examining popular media, such as illustrated books and periodicals, we can shed light on the social attitudes, economic conditions, and power dynamics of the time. We can begin to understand the relationship between art, society, and the construction of identity.