De Staalmeesters 1845 - 1878

Johann Wilhelm Kaiser created this print called "De Staalmeesters" using etching. Kaiser, born in 1813, lived through a time of significant social change marked by industrialization and evolving class structures. This work depicts a group portrait, a genre often associated with wealth and status. The subjects are the "Staalmeesters," or sample masters, figures of authority within the guilds of the time. These guilds wielded considerable economic and social power. Looking at the image, consider the politics of representation; who is included and who is excluded? The exclusive nature of the guilds reflects a society deeply stratified by class. The work serves as a historical record and prompts reflection on the dynamics of power, representation, and social identity. How do such images shape our understanding of the past and its relationship to our present?