Ketellapper loopt over straat 1825 - 1835

Jean-Baptiste Madou made this print of a traveling tinsmith, or “Ketellapper”, walking down a street in 19th-century Belgium. It’s held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This image offers a window into the lives of the working class. The tinsmith, with his tools and wares, represents a familiar figure in the urban landscape. But Madou elevates the tinsmith, dressing him in a top hat more suitable for the bourgeoisie. Here we see the politics of imagery at play. Madou romanticizes the working class, imbuing them with dignity and pride. But is this representation empowering or condescending? Is it progressive for its time, or does it reinforce social hierarchies? To understand Madou's intentions, we need to delve into the social history of 19th-century Belgium. We might consult newspapers, pamphlets, and other primary sources to understand the changing attitudes towards class and labor in the 19th century. By examining the social conditions that shaped its production, we can better understand its meaning and significance.