Straatverkoper met kammen 1789 - 1859

This drawing of a street vendor with combs was made by Pieter de Goeje in the first half of the 19th century. It is likely from the Netherlands. The image depicts a woman holding a bird in one hand and a birdcage in the other. A basket hangs from her arm. During this time, the Netherlands was undergoing a period of economic and social change, which surely affected the population of vendors. Some vendors sold necessities, but the presence of caged birds, especially when juxtaposed with the woman's bare feet, may point to social issues like wealth distribution. The image is imbued with a sense of everyday life and the complex relationship between humans and animals. Understanding an artwork such as this often requires the historian to seek additional resources. Census records might reveal information about Dutch street vendors, and other images of street life from the time may offer further insight into the role of art as a social commentary.