Farewell, Paris, city of noise, smoke and mud c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Farewell, Paris, city of noise, smoke and mud," by Jean Baptiste Michel Dupréel. It's a small print, and the figure looks like he's escaping the city. What historical context might explain this sentiment? Curator: It's fascinating to consider what "Paris, city of noise, smoke and mud" meant at the time. Was this about the pre-revolution aristocracy leaving, or the artist criticizing the public institutions? Editor: I hadn't thought about the social implications of leaving a city! Curator: Exactly. Consider the windmill, a symbol of rural life. Is it genuine longing, or a statement about the failings of urban society? Editor: I see it differently now. Thanks!