Rondreizende boekverkoper 18th century

This anonymous 18th-century print depicts a travelling book seller, likely a common sight in Dutch cities. The seller, carrying a basket full of books on his back, is walking through a rural landscape. The print's detail, especially in the figure's clothing and the basket, suggests a focus on realistic portrayal of everyday life, typical of the 18th-century genre of “print”. This artwork, held in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the Dutch book trade, its size highlighting the importance of printed material to a growing reading public.