Old Street in Rouen 19th century

"Old Street in Rouen" is an etching by A. Paul Artigue, who was active around the turn of the 20th century. The print offers us a glimpse into the daily life of a French city. Notice how Artigue portrays the architecture with a certain gritty realism, reflective of the urban experience of the time. The narrow street is flanked by buildings that seem to lean in towards each other, creating a sense of enclosure. Further down the street we see figures of women who appear burdened and worn. Their clothing and posture suggest a life of hard labor, and the artist's focus on these figures invites us to consider the experiences of working-class women in the urban landscape. Is Artigue celebrating or critiquing the conditions of urban life? The print invites us to consider the human cost of progress and the often-overlooked stories of those who lived and worked in the shadows of modernity.