Figurine Seller with Two Girls

Executed as an etching, Gessner incised lines into a copper plate, allowing for delicate gradations of tone. The artist employs cross‑hatching to model the folds of the women’s flowing garments and to render the texture of the statues and vase. The contrast between light and shadow creates a sense of depth, while the laid‑paper surface adds a subtle tonal warmth to the image.

Created in 1770, the print reflects Gessner’s broader interest in pastoral and genre subjects. While specific ownership records for this particular impression are scarce, the work is documented in catalogues of Gessner’s prints and has appeared in several 19th‑century collections of Swiss etchings.

During the late eighteenth century, the market for small decorative objects—such as figurines and porcelain—was expanding across Europe. Gessner’s depiction aligns with contemporary interest in the material culture of collecting, and the etching’s intimate scale mirrors the private nature of such transactions.

Although not as widely reproduced as Gessner’s landscape works, this etching contributes to an understanding of his versatility and his engagement with everyday scenes. It offers scholars insight into the visual representation of trade and leisure in the pre‑industrial era, enriching the broader narrative of European printmaking.