Eierenverkoopster op de markt 1828

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet created this print depicting an egg seller at market. It’s rendered through lithography, a process where the artist draws on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then applies ink which adheres only to the drawn areas. The deep blacks and subtle grays achieved through lithography give the scene a lively, documentary feel. You can see the density of the crowd, the textures of their clothing, and the expressions on their faces. The choice of lithography, a relatively quick and reproducible medium, allowed Charlet to capture a fleeting moment of everyday life and disseminate it widely. Consider the social implications of such a work. It elevates the common labor of the egg seller, and by extension, all those involved in the production and distribution of food. Charlet is reminding us that art need not only depict heroic or aristocratic subjects, but can also find beauty and dignity in the everyday world of work. This print challenges traditional hierarchies, asserting the value of ordinary people and their contributions to society.