The Rat Catcher c. 1750 - 1790

Curator: Looking at "The Rat Catcher," an engraving by Pierre François Basan from around 1750 to 1790, I'm struck by the stark contrasts and the slightly unsettling feeling it evokes. Editor: Immediately, I notice the stark dichotomy – the grim occupation versus the almost theatrical pose of the rat catcher. The hanging cage of dead rats is such a potent symbol. Curator: The image speaks volumes about 18th-century societal anxieties regarding public health and sanitation. It’s not just about pest control; it hints at a world struggling with disease and decay. Editor: Absolutely. And consider the symbols of both death and the everyday here, presented in an uneasy tandem. The rat catcher with his tools takes on almost a shamanistic role, dealing with dark forces to maintain order. Notice the gaze of the child as if awaiting instructions and of the rat-dog. Curator: Exactly, this piece occupies a fascinating space between genre painting and social commentary. Basan, an established engraver and print publisher, clearly understands how to create accessible narratives laden with complex societal implications. Printmaking, of course, allowed these anxieties to circulate widely. Editor: The rat, throughout history, has symbolized everything from pestilence to resilience, embodying adaptability and survival. What do you think its presence communicates? Curator: Its presence drives home the message about the fragile boundaries of social order and chaos. Even the man’s costume appears disheveled, reinforcing themes of poverty and struggle which resonated deeply within contemporary viewers. Editor: And let’s not overlook how it mirrors aspects of human nature – resourcefulness, adaptability, but also destructiveness. The piece presents a fascinating moral ambiguity, forcing us to confront our own complicity. Curator: A powerful point. So "The Rat Catcher," far from being a simple depiction of labor, functions as a cultural mirror reflecting the pervasive fears and moral ambiguities inherent in the society. Editor: Indeed, looking at the image as a collection of enduring symbols – the rat, the child, the tools – we gain insight into recurring cultural concerns. Curator: Well said. "The Rat Catcher" rewards closer viewing with potent social context.