Un Gantier (glove-maker)

Dateca. 1720

Engraver Martin Engelbrecht

MediumLine engraving and etching on laid paper with hand coloring

DimensionsOverall: 14 × 8 1/2 in (35.56 × 21.59cm)
Platemark: 12 × 8 1/4 in (30.48 × 20.95cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1955-150,24A

DescriptionUpper margin reads, "105"

The lower margin reads, "Ein Beűtler od Handschuhmacher./ 1. une calotte de cuir 2. ein Lederne Haũben. 2. un attrape miche 2. dedier Beűtel. 3. Gants d'homme. 3/ handschuh vor Mans Kilder 4. bourse a fermure. 4. Schlok Beűtel. 5. bourse ordinaire. 5. gemeine Beűtel./ 6. gants pour femme. 6. fraũem handschuh./ 7. bourse a double poche. 7. ein doppelter Eker. 8. bourse a vis./ 8. ein Stihl Beűtel. 9. Cuir. 9. Leder. 10. gants d'hyver. 10. Winter hand schũh. 11. un taillandier. 11./ ein Werckhmeher./ Cum Priv. Maj. Martin Engelbrecht excud. A.V."Label TextMartin Engelbrecht’s mid-18th century publication on trades included both a male and female illustration of each trade or profession in creative ways. Though they represent the tools that tradesmen used and the products they produced, they were meant to entertain elite audiences rather than inform about the labor involved in these trades or professions.This print represents an idealized version of a glove maker. He carries the tools and products of his trade on his person as follows: 1. (on head) une calotte de cuir (cap of hide);2. (over ears) un attrape miche (catching glove); 3. (over shoulders) Gants d'homme (men's gloves); 4. (hanging from neck) bourse a fermure (purse with clasp) 5. (hanging from neck) bourse ordinaire (plain purse); 6. (left shoulder) gants pour femme (gloves for women); 7. (hanging from waist) bourse a double poche (purse with double pockets); 8. (hanging from waist) bourse a vis (pouch for screws); 9.(over left arm) Cuir (hides); 10. (in right hand) gants d'hyver (winter gloves); 11. (on table) un taillandier (cutting tool).

This print is from a series of 189 engravings consisting prints featuring depictions of tradesmen in the format known as composite figures, which are human figures made up of objects. Sometimes various accoutrements or tools are cleverly incorporated into recognizable garments or even replace body parts. Each plate represents different trades by trades men and women dressed with associated tools and products. They do not represent actual tradespeople nor are they meant to suggest that women participated in these trades, though in some cases they may have.They were designed by Johann Jacob Stelzner (1706-1780), C.F. Horstman and M. Rosler. They were etched by Martin Engelbrecht ( 1684–1756). The series was published in a compilation known as, From Martin Engelbrecht, "L' Assemblage nouveau des manouvries habilles or Neu-eröffnete Sammlung der mit ihren eigenen Arbeiten und Werkzeugen eingekleideten Künstlern, Handwerkern und Professionen," (Augsburg, Germany, ca. 1730).Mark(s)Cum Priv. Maj. Plate #105.ProvenanceBefore 1955, the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1955-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).