Ambachtslieden en beroepen c. 1822 - 1849

Jan de Lange created this print titled "Ambachtslieden en beroepen" in the early 19th century, which translates to "Craftsmen and Professions". It's an illustrated piece, reflecting the social and economic landscape of the Netherlands at the time. De Lange presents us with a series of vignettes, each depicting a different trade. We see a weaver, a blacksmith, a carpenter, and a baker, among others. It is a celebration of labor, but also a carefully constructed tableau of the roles that defined the era. How did gender factor into these roles? Notice the absence of women in most of these professions, a reflection of the patriarchal structures of the time. What does it mean to see these trades depicted through the lens of someone living through the Industrial Revolution? Are these trades being honored or romanticized? These images offer a glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary people, inviting us to reflect on our relationship to work, community, and identity.