Frontispiece: Gaigne Petit, from Le Cris de Paris (The Cries of Paris), plate 1 1721 - 1774

"Gaigne Petit" is an etching by Simon Francis Ravenet the Elder from his series *Le Cris de Paris* (The Cries of Paris). This print, part of a series of 12, depicts a street vendor in Paris sharpening knives on a grindstone. The artwork captures the everyday life of working-class Parisians in the 18th century. Ravenet’s detailed and expressive linework and his use of shading create a sense of realism and depth in the scene. The etching is a fine example of the *genre* scene, a popular subject in art during this period, which focused on everyday life. *Le Cris de Paris* was a popular collection of prints that offered a glimpse into the working class of Paris. The series was commissioned by the Parisian publisher Jean-Baptiste de La Caille, and it is considered one of Ravenet's most important works.