De handel, schoon in 't klein gedreven / Schijnt toch nog eenig winst te geven / Le commerce en petit, / Plusiers personnes nourit 1856 - 1900

This print, made by Glenisson & Zonen, presents a series of images depicting street vendors and small-scale traders, likely produced in the Netherlands. The title translates to "Small trade, though small, still seems to offer some profit, small commerce nourishes many." These images offer a fascinating glimpse into the economic landscape and social structure of the time. We see the informal sector at work, and the visual codes associated with different trades. These cultural references point to a society where economic activity was diverse and dynamic. It’s equally interesting to think about who these images were made for, who consumed and interpreted them. To gain a deeper understanding of this print, we could research the history of street vending in the Netherlands and the economic conditions of the time. Archival records, trade directories, and other primary sources can shed light on the lives of these small-scale traders and the social networks they inhabited. This reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum, but within specific social and institutional contexts that shape its meaning and significance.