Parapluverkoper 1793

Johann Ludwig Ernst Morgenstern created this etching, "Parapluverkoper," likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. The image depicts an umbrella salesman, a figure traversing a landscape with his wares. At this time, the rise of the merchant class was reshaping European society. This work offers a glimpse into the life of a common tradesman, emphasizing the labor involved in earning a livelihood. The salesman is seen from the back, with an umbrella and a bundle of sticks, used for the umbrella frames, slung over his shoulder. His posture suggests the weight of his burden and the physical demands of his occupation. Here, Morgenstern captures a moment of everyday life, and invites us to reflect on the broader economic and social structures that shape individual experience.