Ouder echtpaar aan het werk 1675

This engraving, made by Conrad Meyer in the 17th century, presents an elderly couple in a domestic setting. Meyer worked with the precision of a printmaker, which allowed for the wide distribution of images and ideas. Look closely, and you'll see the contrast between the man immersed in his work at the table and the woman seated with a distaff. The image speaks to the division of labor within a household, each contributing to the family’s well-being. The chest filled with riches, the table covered with precious items, the painting in the back: these are all signs of bourgeois comfort. Meyer's choice of engraving emphasizes the value of labor and the material accumulation that defined the era. Ultimately, the artist invites us to contemplate the social and economic structures that shape our lives, using his skilled artistry to make his statement.