Pea Shellers 1737

"Pea Shellers" is a 1737 etching by French artist Anne Claude Philippe Caylus, also known as the Count of Caylus. The print shows two women engaged in the simple task of shelling peas, a common activity in 18th-century France. Caylus's interest in depicting everyday life, particularly the work of ordinary people, is evident in this piece. The realistic portrayal of the women, their clothing, and their surroundings, combined with the delicate lines and shading of the etching, creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, drawing the viewer into the scene. The print is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.