Koppel goudwegers 1733 - 1797

This print, made by Pierre François Basan in the late 18th century, depicts an elderly couple meticulously handling coins. The image encapsulates a common theme in art: the pleasures and follies of old age, particularly the accumulation of wealth. Made in France, this work reflects the social values of the time, where economic stability was increasingly important. The print's composition is telling; the couple’s focus is entirely on the money, suggesting a critique of materialism. The shelf in the background includes a money bag and various other coins, tools that were important to 18th century life. Is Basan suggesting the couple should spend the money on more important things? To fully understand this artwork, we can turn to the historical context of 18th-century France. We can explore how economic policies and social structures influenced artistic production and reception. Art historians rely on documents such as letters, account books, and inventories to reconstruct the world in which art was created and consumed. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.