Caricature of a Printseller 1734 - 1789

This intriguing caricature was created by Jean Charles Delafosse, a French artist active in the 18th century. The figure's hybrid form, with a bird's head atop a body composed of rectangular prints, immediately draws us into a world of symbolic representation. The bird-headed figure recalls ancient Egyptian deities like Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing, often depicted with the head of an ibis. Here, however, the bird's form is rendered with a satirical edge, its features exaggerated to mock the print seller. This fusion of human and animal traits has deep roots in our collective psyche, embodying both admiration and ridicule. Consider the recurring motif of the "animal-headed man" in various cultures. It reflects humanity's ongoing struggle to define itself in relation to the natural world, blurring the lines between the rational and the instinctual. In this caricature, Delafosse taps into this primal symbolism, inviting viewers to contemplate the complex relationship between commerce, culture, and human nature. The print seller, weighed down by his wares, becomes a figure of both humor and pathos.