Rondreizende verkoper van schrijfinkt 1807 - 1817

This is an early 19th-century print by Joseph Toussaint Julien de Paris, depicting a traveling ink salesman. Note the ink container strapped to his back, and the pipe he smokes, symbols of his trade and perhaps personal indulgence. Observe how the figure carries himself with a cane. The cane has been used as a symbol of authority, guidance, or support across cultures. Think of Hermes’s Caduceus in ancient Greece, a symbol of negotiation and commerce. Here, the cane serves as a functional tool for the salesman’s journey, but also a signifier of his self-reliance. Over time, the cane has transformed, appearing as a scepter in royal portraits, demonstrating power, or as an elegant accessory. One can't help but wonder about the weight this man carries, not just the ink, but the hopes and dreams of those who use it to write. The act of writing itself becomes a potent act. This image subtly reminds us of the power of words and the enduring human need to document, communicate, and create.