Alfabet met straathandelaren uit Parijs 1860 - 1872

This Alphabet of Street Vendors from Paris, of unknown date, was made with printmaking techniques, likely lithography, judging by the crisp lines and flat areas of color. The image is divided into 26 squares. Each contains a caricature of a street vendor hawking their wares – from water to newspapers to shellfish. The alphabet format provides a structure for cataloging these everyday figures. The cheap paper and bright colors also suggest it was intended for a wide audience, possibly even children learning their ABCs. While it may seem simple, this print is revealing. It provides a snapshot of Parisian street life, of the labor and commerce that fueled the city. It makes visible the faces and voices often overlooked in grand narratives of art and history. The production process itself speaks to a wider system of consumption, where images were mass-produced and distributed. Ultimately, this print invites us to consider how art intersects with everyday life, and how even the most humble materials can tell complex stories about culture and society.