Broadside with 48 scenes relating to the life of the garbage man (trash man) Pedro Talls 1855 - 1865

This broadside, printed by Juan Llorens in Barcelona around the late 19th century, presents the life of Pedro Talls, a garbage man, through 48 small scenes. The visual narrative unfolds like a comic strip, offering a glimpse into the daily existence and social standing of a working-class individual. In rapidly industrializing Barcelona, class divisions were becoming more visible, and popular prints like this played a role in shaping perceptions of different social groups. Llorens's depiction of Pedro Talls invites reflection on the cultural values assigned to labor, hygiene, and urban life. Was this image intended to celebrate the dignity of work, or to reinforce existing social hierarchies? As historians, we can explore such questions by looking into archival records about the urban sanitation of Barcelona, the history of print culture, and the representation of the working class in popular media. Understanding the context in which this broadside was created allows us to interpret its meanings and appreciate the role of art in reflecting and shaping social attitudes.