Hier ziet gij, lieve jeugd! den timmerman, den metselaar, den smid en den schoenmaker werkzaam. Wat heeft ieder wel tot zijn handwerk noodig? [(...)] 1850

This lithograph, made by Antoine Franciscus Cornelis Hoffmann, presents an array of artisans at work. The print is divided into quadrants, each depicting a different trade: carpentry, masonry, blacksmithing, and shoemaking. Through the stark contrast of light and shadow, the artist creates a scene in each quadrant, emphasizing the tools and tasks specific to each craft. Hoffmann’s composition leans on a structural division mirroring the era’s focus on categorization and order. Each scene is framed by strong lines, with figures posed to illustrate their vocational activities. This meticulous arrangement serves to convey the dignity of labor, but also hints at the social hierarchies embedded in the industrializing world. The detailed etching, while seemingly straightforward, engages with the broader theme of labor and its place in society. It prompts a reflection on how craftsmanship is both a skill and a form of social identity. It invites us to ponder the values and meanings that society ascribes to different forms of work.