Groenteverkoopster 1756 - 1816

Louis Bernard Coclers created this etching, titled 'Groenteverkoopster' – or 'Greengrocer' – sometime in the late 18th century. Its focus on commerce and trade is characteristic of art produced at this time. The print depicts a transaction between a young, female seller and an older woman in what appears to be a simple, perhaps domestic setting. The act of exchange – money for goods – suggests the growth of a market economy in Europe at this time. But the class and gender dynamics on display are also important here. Consider how the artist has portrayed each figure, and what this might tell us about the social role of women in the 1700s. To fully understand this artwork, you might consider consulting trade records or other visual depictions of market scenes from the period. What do these sources tell us about the status of women or about the growth of consumer culture? This would offer greater insight into the relationship between art and society during the Enlightenment.