Autre Temps, autre... Calicot. c. 1817

This print, made by comte de Charles Philibert Lasteyrie du Saillant, probably with etching, presents a before-and-after comparison. Note the title: "Autre Temps, autre... Calicot," meaning "Different times, different... Calico." The visual comparison hinges on the material of calico, a printed cotton textile that rose to prominence during the Industrial Revolution. On the left, a man from 1807 struggles, weighed down by documents and chained to a building, symbolizing economic hardship. But jump ahead to 1817, and the figure on the right is jaunty and self-assured. He represents the newfound prosperity brought by calico production. The print underscores the transformative power of industrial materials. It links economic prosperity, technological advancement, and the changing social status of individuals. By focusing on calico, Lasteyrie invites us to consider how textiles—often relegated to the realm of craft—can be central to understanding broader shifts in labor, trade, and social identity.