Markt bij St. Ouen 1882 - 1941

Auguste Brouet's etching captures a bustling market at St. Ouen, near Paris, teeming with life and commerce. The image pulses with figures weighed down by sacks, bent under the burden of goods—a sight reminiscent of ancient marketplaces. Observe the repeated motif of carrying—a theme that echoes through time. From antiquity, where figures like Atlas bore the world on their shoulders, to more recent portrayals of laborers in Millet’s paintings, the act of carrying is laden with symbolic weight, representing labor, sustenance, and the burdens of existence. Consider how, in different eras, the depiction of burdened figures has served to evoke empathy, solidarity, or even social critique. These echoes in art and history show how symbols carry cultural and emotional meaning that connect us to previous eras and generations. The human subconscious understands these primal motifs. In Brouet's work, this timeless symbol serves as a poignant commentary on the human condition, engaging us with deep emotions associated with work and survival.