Giving Drink to the Thirsty 1732 - 1763

François Hutin made this print, "Giving Drink to the Thirsty," in France, probably in the first half of the 1700s. It's an etching, a printmaking technique that allowed artists to make multiple copies of an image, spreading ideas more widely than a unique painting could. Hutin was part of the French Academy in Rome, and this print likely reflects his time there. The crumbling classical architecture in the background evokes the city's ancient ruins, but it also speaks to the period's interest in civic virtue. "Giving Drink to the Thirsty" is one of the seven "corporal works of mercy," actions that, according to Catholic teachings, please God. In a time when poverty was widespread, Hutin reminds viewers of their social responsibilities. Prints like this circulated among a growing middle class, influencing ideas about charity and social reform. Understanding this print means digging into the history of printmaking, religious beliefs, and social welfare in 18th-century France. The image reveals how art could be both aesthetically pleasing and socially engaged.