Un Gréviste c. 1888

Henri-Charles Guérard made this print, ‘Un Gréviste,’ using etching and aquatint. It depicts a working-class man, identified as a striker or protestor. Guérard created this image in France, a nation experiencing rapid industrialization and social upheaval. The late 19th century witnessed the rise of organized labor movements advocating for better working conditions and workers' rights. Strikes and protests became increasingly common as workers sought to challenge the established economic order. Here, Guérard’s choice of subject matter reflects these socio-political tensions. Guérard was associated with the Société des Aquafortistes, an artistic group that sought to revive etching as a fine art. We might interpret the presentation of this worker in a fine art print as a statement in itself, elevating a common person to a subject worthy of artistic attention, thus challenging the conventions of traditional academic art. By studying sources such as historical newspapers, union records, and political pamphlets, we can better understand the social context of Guérard's print and appreciate its significance as a commentary on the social struggles of its time.