Straatverkoopster van hazelnoten c. 1736

This print, "Street Vendor of Hazelnuts," was made by Jacques Philippe Le Bas, sometime in the 18th century. It depicts a woman selling hazelnuts, assisted by a young girl who shelters beneath the tray she carries. Made in France, the print offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class women and children in 18th-century Paris. Street vendors like this one were a common sight, providing essential goods and services to the city's inhabitants. Le Bas's image highlights the economic activities of women, their role in the urban economy, and the participation of children in family businesses. The print also touches on the theme of poverty, suggesting the challenging conditions in which many people lived. To understand the print more fully, one might research the history of street vending in Paris, the social and economic conditions of the working class, and the representation of women in art and popular culture. Works like this remind us that art is always contingent on social and institutional context.