Diamantbewerker aan het werk in zijn werkplaats 1867 - 1887

Carel Lodewijk Dake made this print of a diamond worker at his bench using etching. Here, the artist plunges us into the shadowy workspace of a craftsman, likely in Amsterdam, a city which, at the time, was a world leader in diamond cutting. The image creates meaning through its dramatic use of light and dark, emphasizing the intense focus required by this skilled trade. Dake’s choice of subject may reflect a broader interest in depicting the lives of working-class people, a theme often seen in late 19th-century art responding to rapid industrialization. It is likely a commentary on the social structures of his time. Understanding the economic and social history of the diamond trade in the Netherlands helps us interpret this image beyond its surface. By consulting historical records, trade statistics, and workers' accounts, we can further understand this artwork as both a portrait of a profession and a reflection of broader social and economic forces.