The Public Scrivener 1790

Curator: Jean Jacques de Boissieu created this work, "The Public Scrivener." I see the image as a stark depiction of social realities, a commentary on access and power. Editor: My first impression is the density of textures. The chipped brick, weathered wood, and worn clothing all point to the material conditions shaping these people's lives. Curator: Exactly. Consider how literacy impacts social mobility. The scrivener becomes a gatekeeper, embodying power dynamics of the time. We see a range of subjects, young, old, some even with their pets. Editor: And the tools of the scrivener’s trade? We have to remember that paper, ink, and the skill to write were not universally accessible. These were crafted objects, commodities in a stratified society. Curator: It speaks volumes about the hierarchies structuring everyday life for Boissieu's subjects, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. Thinking about the materiality and accessibility of the process really opens up the possible readings of this image.