Ambachten, bedrijven 1861 - 1929

This lithograph, crafted by Albertus Willem Sijthoff, presents archetypes of labor. Note the smith, hammering with primal force, evoking the ancient god Vulcan, whose forge shaped not only tools but also myths. Consider the image of the spinner; her spindle is not merely an instrument but a thread connecting her to fates like Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, weavers of destiny in the classical world. This act of spinning—of creating—mirrors the very act of artistic creation. The night watchman with his lantern, a motif seen in the darkest corners of Rembrandt’s paintings. He's the guardian against the night, and his presence is a recurring figure across cultures, embodying protection, vigilance, but also the fear of the unknown lurking in the dark. These archetypes persist, subtly shifting across epochs.