Boekverkoper - Simon Guillain (II)

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Simon Guillain (II) depicting a travelling bookseller carrying his wares in a large basket.

This etching by Simon Guillain (II) depicts a travelling bookseller, a common figure in the street life of seventeenth-century Europe. The figure is shown in profile, walking with a large, woven basket strapped to his back. The basket is filled with books and small writing tablets, which are also suspended from the exterior. In his left hand, he holds an open book, suggesting he is actively engaged in his trade or perhaps demonstrating his wares to potential customers. The artist employs a clear, linear style typical of the period, using hatching and cross-hatching to define the textures of the basket, the man's clothing, and the simple rural background.

Guillain, primarily known as a sculptor, produced this work as part of a series documenting the various street vendors and tradespeople of his time. These prints provide a window into the social history of the era, capturing the mundane yet essential activities of urban and semi-rural commerce. The composition is straightforward, focusing on the figure's movement and the tools of his trade. The inclusion of the Italian inscription 'Tauolette e Libri per li Putti' at the base indicates the specific nature of his inventory, which includes items for children. The work is characterised by its observational quality, presenting the subject without idealisation. The print reflects the broader interest in genre subjects that occupied many artists during the seventeenth century, documenting the diversity of occupations that sustained the economy of the period. The clean lines and balanced composition make it a fine example of mid-seventeenth-century printmaking, offering a glimpse into the daily life of a mobile merchant.