Fotoreproductie van een schilderij met een vogelverkoper door Gabriël Metsu before 1871

This is a photogravure reproduction of Gabriël Metsu’s painting, “The Poultry seller”, found in a book titled "Wonders of Painting." Although the artist of the photogravure is unknown, its context within this book provides insight into how Dutch paintings were perceived and circulated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The original painting, created during the Dutch Golden Age, is a genre scene depicting a well-dressed woman purchasing poultry from a man. These scenes often served as a way to convey moral messages or reflect social values. Metsu was known for his ability to capture the textures and details of everyday life, appealing to the sensibilities of the rising merchant class who valued domesticity. Here, the act of buying and selling becomes an intimate encounter, laden with unspoken desires and social commentary. The inclusion of animals—chickens, a dog—adds layers of symbolism, perhaps alluding to fidelity or fertility, themes common in Dutch art. This photogravure allowed viewers to engage with Dutch art and perhaps reflect on their own place within a changing society.