Medieval French Merchants in Discourse, Original Antique Engraving of 1847

About this sheet

This colorful print is titled "Marchands," which means "Merchants" in French, suggesting that it portrays a scene of merchants from the Middle Ages engaged in conversation, likely about trade or business. The piece is possibly part of the same "Costume du Moyen Age" series from 1847.

The central figure is donned in a long, red tunic with a blue hooded cloak, a belt around his waist, and is holding what appears to be a document or a letter — an indication of his commercial activities. He is engaged in discussion with two other figures. To his right stands a man in a green tunic with a purple hat, who is animatedly gesturing to a book or ledger, indicative of a discussion on accounts or sales. The third figure, on the left, is clad in a brown tunic and hose, with a pouch attached to his belt, listening intently to the conversation.

All three figures wear the characteristic hats of the time, and their clothing, while simpler than that of the nobility, is still brightly colored and well-made, which would befit their status as successful merchants. The interaction between them captures the essence of the daily life of trade and commerce in the medieval period. The attention to detail in the costumes and the dynamic portrayal of the figures provides a glimpse into the social and economic interactions of the time.

The colors have a nice glow over them. Historically, egg whites, known as glair, and sometimes egg yolk were indeed used in illumination and painting, particularly in manuscripts, to give colors a brighter appearance and to add a sheen or gloss to the work. This technique was quite common during the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance.

Egg whites can be applied as a varnish over pigments to enhance their brightness and to protect the colors. This application could make the colors appear more vivid and also add a slight glossy sheen to the surface of the image.

Egg yolk, on the other hand, was commonly used as a binding agent in paint. It forms the basis of tempera paint, a medium that was widely used before the advent of oil painting. Egg yolk helps to create a durable and long-lasting color that adheres well to various surfaces.

In the context of the print from 1847, it's less likely that egg whites or yolks were used directly on the print, as by that time, commercial printing processes would have been more advanced and less reliant on such manual methods. However, if this print is a representation of an earlier style or is meant to mimic the appearance of hand-painted manuscripts, the original artists might have employed techniques or materials that gave a similar effect to those achieved with egg-based binders and varnishes.