Ambachten en Robinson Crusoe 1827 - 1894

"Ambachten en Robinson Crusoe" was created by M. Hemeleers-van Houter in the 19th century using an etching technique. The print presents us with a series of vignettes that juxtapose traditional trades with scenes from Daniel Defoe's novel "Robinson Crusoe." Set against the backdrop of burgeoning colonialism, it's hard not to consider the implications of labor and the impact of European presence on colonized lands. The imagery of Crusoe, a figure of survival and ingenuity, can also be viewed as a lens through which to examine the values of self-reliance, and the protestant work ethic during a period of immense social and economic change. What does it mean to depict both the tradesman and Crusoe within the same frame? What does it mean to juxtapose labor with themes of isolation and survival? Hemeleers-van Houter invites us to consider these questions. In her juxtaposition, Hemeleers-van Houter subtly points to the societal structures that underpin our lives and prompts us to reflect on the personal and collective narratives we construct around work, survival, and identity.