Beroepen en bezigheden 1807

W. van Bergen created this print titled "Beroepen en bezigheden", or "Professions and Occupations," in Breda in 1807. The series of vignettes provides glimpses into the lives and labors of people during the Dutch Golden Age, and can be read through the lens of social hierarchy. Note the distinct roles assigned to individuals based on gender and class. In several scenes women are relegated to domestic tasks such as laundry and cleaning, emphasizing the era's patriarchal norms that confined women to the household. Meanwhile, men are depicted in positions of authority and skilled labor, reflecting prevailing social expectations. The series is evocative and speaks to both a historical and a contemporary sensibility. In our own time, who has the luxury of being idle? Who is working? Although these scenes capture everyday activities, they also highlight broader social dynamics of labor and leisure, offering a glimpse into the fabric of Dutch society at the turn of the 19th century.