Crew 1865

This print of a rural scene was made by Charles Jacque, a French artist known for his depictions of peasant life. The image captures a man and woman pulling a cart, seemingly struggling with the weight, while a child sits passively on top. Jacque worked during a period of significant social and economic change in France, including the rise of industrialization and urbanization. His prints often romanticize rural life, presenting an idealized view of peasant labor and family. This image in particular draws on deep-seated, gendered ideas about family and work. The public role of art like this was to cement existing social hierarchies. By examining Jacque's print in the context of 19th-century French society, using resources such as historical documents, critical essays, and biographical accounts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural values and beliefs that shaped both the production and reception of his art. The meaning of art, you see, is contingent on its social and institutional context.