Beschouw hier op dees prent van allerleye standen / Hoe ieder mensch dus werkt, en draegt het zyne by. / Leer, hoe de alwyze God de staten deed verwanden. / Ten algemeenen nut der groote maetschappy 1833 - 1856

This print of various professions was made by Glenisson and Van Genechten at an unknown date, using etching. Through a series of vignettes ordered alphabetically, the print seeks to provide insight into the workings of Dutch society. Each letter corresponds to a different occupation, from a goldsmith to a baker to a teacher. These were the building blocks of the 17th-century Dutch Republic, when a burgeoning economy and global trade created a complex social order. The print can be understood as a visual manifestation of the Protestant work ethic, which emphasized hard work and individual responsibility. The depiction of a diverse range of professions also reflects the growing specialization and professionalization of labor in the early modern period. The artist’s choice of such a mundane subject matter speaks to the growing importance of the middle classes and the shift away from the traditional aristocratic values. Understanding this print requires familiarity with early modern Dutch social structures. A study of guild records and economic history would help contextualize the artist’s depiction of labor and class relations in the Dutch Republic.