The Common Man's Gesture: A Plebeian in Daily Life, 1847
€ 130
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1847
Sheet size
27 × 18 cm (10.6 × 7.1 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13635-18
Condition
Good. Overal very light toning and light soiling but the image itself clean and hand-colored almost 200 years ago and still in expliciet colors. Aged paper with typically warm, yellowish-brown hue, mostly around the edges. Study the image carefully.
About this sheet
This original antique print for sale shows a figure labeled "Plebeien," which is French for "Plebeian," indicating that this individual is a commoner. The person is depicted in a long, bright yellow robe with a hood, which drapes in wide folds to the ground, a style that might have been worn for warmth or work by common people during certain periods in history.
The individual is gesturing outward with his right hand, perhaps in conversation or pointing towards something of interest. The expression on his face appears engaged and animated. The simplicity of the robe, despite its vibrant color, suggests practical clothing rather than the more ornate attire of the upper classes. The color could signify a particular role within the community, a trade, or simply be a choice of personal attire.
The title suggests the active role of the plebeian within the community and the everyday setting in which he belongs.
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.
