Schoenlapper 1747 - 1794

Jonathan Spilsbury created this mezzotint, entitled "Schoenlapper", in England in the late 18th century. The print depicts an elderly shoemaker meticulously crafting footwear in his humble workshop. What might seem a simple genre scene in fact provides us with insight into the world of labor and craftsmanship during the early Industrial Revolution. At a time of increasing factory production, prints like this romanticized the figure of the independent artisan, emphasizing the dignity of labor and the value of traditional skills. The shoemaker, illuminated by soft light, is surrounded by the tools of his trade and the objects of his modest existence. We can consider this image in light of broader debates about economic change and social hierarchies. By consulting trade directories, census records, and other primary sources, we can start to flesh out the world of this skilled tradesman.