Man met flessen 1772 - 1779

Jeanne Deny created this print, "Man met flessen," using etching sometime before her death in 1815. The image depicts a scene with a man, presumably a merchant or distiller, standing near a peculiar structure with bottles, set within an ornate, somewhat fantastical landscape. This print provides insight into the cultural fascination with Chinoiserie during the 18th century in France. The exotic and stylized representation of Eastern motifs reflects broader European interests in trade and colonial expansion. The bottles suggest an engagement with commerce and the rising merchant class. The print also hints at the increasing interest in scientific pursuits during the Enlightenment. We can use sources such as trade records, historical accounts of design trends, and studies of scientific imagery to delve deeper into the social conditions that shaped its production. The image encapsulates the complex interplay of trade, science, and artistic expression of its time.