Geminiano Caldarostaro crying out and holding a tub, with a tasseled hat

Francesco Villamena made this engraving of Geminiano Caldarostaro, a street vendor, at the turn of the 17th century in Italy. The print’s subject is neither a saint nor a ruler, but a common tradesman of the time. Caldarostaro, wearing a tasseled hat and holding a tub, embodies the visual codes of the working class. The image is interesting because it elevates an ordinary person to the status of art. This shift reflects a broader change in the social landscape of the period. As urban centers grew, so did the visibility and importance of the working class. The image can be read as a commentary on the evolving social structures of the time. It is neither conservative nor progressive, but rather a reflection of the changing dynamics within Italian society. By looking at the prints and engravings of the time, and the records of Italian society, we can better understand the public role of art and the social conditions that shape artistic production.