Koppermaandag met leprozenoptocht te Amsterdam 1844

Johannes Hilverdink created this print, "Koppermaandag met leprozenoptocht te Amsterdam," using etching. This piece gives us a glimpse into a little-known tradition in Amsterdam. "Koppermaandag," or Coppers Monday, was a day when craftspeople would visit their clients to present them with decorated prints or poems, often receiving a small copper coin in return. Hilverdink’s print depicts the annual parade of lepers through Amsterdam. Leprosy, a disease that causes disfigurement and disability, carried immense social stigma. This image challenges us to consider how society treats those who are marginalized. The lepers, set apart by their condition, are paraded through the city, becoming a spectacle for the "healthy" population. The exchange of gifts takes on a complicated tone here, when one group is so clearly ‘othered.’ What does it mean to give or receive when power dynamics are so unbalanced? The print serves as a historical record and as a poignant commentary on identity, health, and social inclusion.