The Tax Collectors (Les Traitants) 1778

Jean-Honoré Fragonard made this print called "The Tax Collectors" using etching in 1778. It depicts a group of men gathered around a table, presumably discussing or collecting taxes. In 18th-century France, the system of tax collection was notoriously corrupt and unpopular. Taxes were often collected by private individuals, known as "traitants," who were granted the right to collect taxes in exchange for a fee. This system led to widespread abuse and corruption, as the "traitants" often used their power to enrich themselves at the expense of the common people. Fragonard's print reflects this social reality, depicting the tax collectors as greedy and unpleasant figures. The print's satirical tone suggests a critique of the Ancien Régime and its institutions. By examining period documents, such as tax records, pamphlets, and caricatures, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and political context in which the artwork was produced. Art is a product of its time, deeply influenced by the society and institutions that shape it.