Cris et costumes de Paris. Paris chez les Campion frères 1786 (5 p renten van Guyot naar Watteau de Lille) 1786

This is the cover of a bound collection of prints, "Cries and costumes of Paris," made in 1786 by Laurent Guyot, after Watteau de Lille. It provides a glimpse into the marketing of images in pre-revolutionary Paris. Bound collections like these catered to a growing market for images. The prints within likely depicted the city's street vendors, artisans, and fashionable figures, offering a snapshot of Parisian life. Consider it a kind of early social media, where imagery perpetuated stereotypes and social hierarchies. The book was published by the Campion brothers, who were part of a network of printers and publishers shaping public taste. The luxury binding itself, signals an intention to appeal to wealthy buyers. Understanding this artwork requires looking beyond its surface. We need to delve into archives, explore period publications, and analyze the economic forces that drove the production and consumption of images. The historian’s role is to piece together this context, reminding us that art always exists within social and institutional frameworks.