Flower Vendor 1738

This print, "Flower Vendor," was created by Anne Claude Philippe Caylus, sometime in the 18th century. Caylus, an antiquarian, collector, and above all, an academician, was deeply invested in the hierarchy of genres that defined French art institutions at the time. Prints like this one played a crucial role in shaping public perception. It offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class women in Paris, navigating the economic and social realities of their time. The image is seemingly straightforward. However, we need to remember that the print was made during a period of profound social inequality, and it’s hard to ignore how the art world generally catered to the tastes of the wealthy. Caylus was very invested in the academy. So we might ask: is the image intended as a mere record of everyday life, or does it engage with the social issues of its time? To truly understand this print, we must look into the economic conditions, social structures, and artistic conventions of 18th-century France, using sources such as period documents, market reports, and theoretical writings.