Image merchant 1862

Alexandre Antigna painted 'Image Merchant' during a time of significant social change in France. The painting offers a glimpse into the lives of the rural poor and itinerant workers who struggled to survive in the rapidly industrializing 19th century. Antigna was known for his empathetic depictions of the working class. In this piece we see a traveling salesman displaying his wares, likely religious prints or inexpensive popular imagery, to a group of children in a rural setting. Notice the expressions of wonder and curiosity on their faces. The image merchant might have represented a break from the children's everyday lives. The figures' worn clothing and the bleak landscape speak to the harsh realities of poverty and limited opportunity in rural France during this period. How does this image resonate with contemporary issues of economic inequality and access to culture?