Reverse copy of Au Vinaigre (Vinegar), from Le Cris de Paris (The Cries of Paris), plate 6 1721 - 1774

This is a reverse copy of an engraving titled "Au Vinaigre" or "Vinegar," made by Simon Francis Ravenet the elder in the 18th century. It depicts a vinegar seller in Paris, pushing a wheelbarrow with a barrel, presumably full of vinegar. A young woman is leaning out of a window, ready to buy some. Ravenet was one of many artists making prints of the "Cries of Paris," a popular subject that captured the lives of ordinary street vendors. The image offers a glimpse into the economic and social life of 18th-century Paris, where vendors hawked their wares in the streets. The print also speaks to the increasing commercialization of Paris. It reflects the rise of a consumer culture, with the city streets acting as a marketplace. As historians, we can turn to sources like period newspapers, market records, and even literature to understand the world inhabited by the figures in this print. By looking at these social and institutional contexts, we gain a far richer understanding of the artwork.