Reverse copy of A Racomoder les Vieux Souflets (Mend the Old Bellows), from Le Cris de Paris (The Cries of Paris), plate 3

Art Historical Context

This 18th-century etching and engraving captures a lively street scene from *Les Cris de Paris* (The Cries of Paris a popular series depicting the city’s itinerant vendors and tradespeople. The print shows a bellows-mender at work, surrounded by the tools of his trade, offering a glimpse into the everyday rhythms of Parisian life. As plate 3 in the series, it belongs to a genre that celebrated ordinary occupations through charming, accessible imagery. François Boucher, a leading Rococo artist known for his graceful and decorative style, designed the original composition, which was skillfully engraved by Jacques Philippe Le Bas. This reverse copy demonstrates the technical precision of etching and engraving, techniques that allowed fine details and tonal effects to be reproduced for a wide audience. Such prints were affordable alternatives to paintings, helping spread both artistic taste and social observation across Europe. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Elisha Whittelsey Fund, the work preserves a vivid record of 18th-century urban culture. Its modest scale and crisp linework invite viewers to appreciate the artistry behind seemingly humble subjects, highlighting how printmaking bridged high art and popular experience.

About the Artist

François Boucher|Jacques Philippe Le Bas · 1703–1770

François Boucher (1703–1770) stands as the quintessential master of French Rococo painting and the most celebrated decorative artist of the 18th century. Born in Paris to a lace designer, Boucher created a visual language that perfectly embodied the refined taste, sensuality, and elegance of Louis XV's court. His prolific output—encompassing paintings, tapestry designs, theatrical sets, and decora...