Verschillende bedrijven 1848 - 1881

"Verschillende bedrijven" or "Different Businesses," by Lutkie & Cranenburg, is a 395 by 328 mm print held at the Rijksmuseum. In this print, we see a series of vignettes depicting different occupations and trades, providing us a window into the economic activities and social roles prevalent at the time it was made. Consider the gendered division of labor portrayed here. How are women and men represented in their respective roles, and what does this tell us about societal expectations? The scenes showing women engaged in domestic tasks or petty trade, for example, reflect the limited opportunities afforded to them. Meanwhile, men are shown in more varied professions. While seemingly a straightforward depiction of work, this print invites us to reflect on the complex power dynamics inherent in the labor force. Whose stories are being told, and whose are being left out? By examining these visual narratives, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social structures that shaped the lives of ordinary people.