Rat Catcher c. 18th century

Curator: What a strange and compelling image. The figure's expression is so animated. Editor: Agreed. This is Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich's "Rat Catcher," a print dating to 1757, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. The tools of his trade are rather gruesome. Curator: Absolutely! The dead rats hanging from the cage feel like a blatant display of both power and public service. In a time before modern sanitation, rat catchers were vital figures. Editor: Indeed. And consider the performance embedded in his role – the hat, the cape, the exaggerated gesture. He's selling a service but also embodying a specific identity. Curator: I find myself wondering about the social status of someone in this role. Was it respected, or was it stigmatized? Editor: Probably both. Someone had to do it, but those dealing directly with vermin likely faced discrimination. The etching's realism makes it all the more impactful. Curator: It is quite arresting. I appreciate how the artist has captured a moment in the everyday life of the 18th century. Editor: It's a stark reminder of the realities of urban life, and the labor—often unseen and unappreciated—that kept it functioning.