The Peasant Couple at Market (copy) 1485 - 1528

Albrecht Durer created this copy of "The Peasant Couple at Market" around 1519 using engraving on a sheet of paper. This small print captures a moment of everyday life, but it also speaks volumes about the social hierarchies of the 16th century. Durer, positioned as a celebrated artist, offers a glimpse into the lives of the peasantry. This work presents a critical commentary on class, portraying the couple with unflattering realism. We see the woman reaching into her purse while the man stares off. What do you feel when you look at their faces? Are they complicit in their own exploitation, or are they simply trying to survive in a world that's stacked against them? The artist’s representation challenges the idealized images of the time. Durer invites us to consider the humanity of those often overlooked. It makes us reflect on the complex interplay of class, identity, and representation, and the way we see each other.