Kleine straatveger en vechtende jongens

About this artwork

blad: hoogte 234 mm x breedte 187 mm

Art Historical Context

**Kleine straatveger enchtende jongens** by Nicolas Toussaint Char is a lively lithography from the 1840s (dated between 1842 and 1847), measuring 234 mm high by 187 mm wide. Charlet, a prominent French artist (1792–1845), in capturing the vibrancy of Parisian street life through this innovative printmaking technique. Lithography, which emerged in the late 18th century, allowed for precise tonal effects and mass reproduction, making art accessible beyond elite circles. The title—"Little Street Sweeper and Fighting Boys"—evokes a snapshot of urban childhood in mid-19th-century France. It likely depicts a young sweeper amid rowdy boys scuffling, highlighting the gritty yet playful world of working-class youths amid industrialization and social change. Charlet's works often infused humor and empathy into such everyday scenes, blending Romantic sentiment with keen observation. This print exemplifies lithography's golden age, where artists like Charlet democratized imagery of ordinary life, influencing later social realism. A window into 1840s Paris, it invites us to ponder the resilience of street kids in a transforming city. (178 words)

About the Artist

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet · 1792–1845

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