De handel, schoon in 't klein gedreven, / Schijnt toch nog eenig winst te geven; / Al is 't niet veel, 't is echter iets; / 't is aktoos beter wat, dan niets 1820 - 1838

"De handel, schoon in 't klein gedreven" is a 375 by 322 mm print made by Christiaan Jacob Schuyling, sometime before 1830, in Rotterdam. This print offers a glimpse into the economic and social fabric of early 19th-century Dutch society. It’s a kind of catalog depicting the commerce of Rotterdam through images of trade. Notice the figures, mostly ordinary people, engaged in the buying and selling of goods. They’re moving through the streets, carrying the tools and products of their trade. The figures of women as vendors and merchants is especially striking. Their presence challenges traditional gender roles, suggesting women played a crucial role in the economic life of the city. This print is not just a depiction of commerce; it’s a representation of the community. Schuyling highlights the labor and the small-scale trade that sustained a city. It reminds us of the human effort that lies behind every transaction.