Winkelier van de Evangelische Broedergemeente met een klant 1804

Ludwig Gottlieb Portman created this print, "Shopkeeper of the Evangelical Brotherhood with a Customer," sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. During this time, the Evangelical Brotherhood, or Moravian Church, was expanding its reach, emphasizing community and piety. Here, a formally dressed shopkeeper attends to a woman in traditional Moravian dress. The image speaks to social distinctions and religious identity through costume. Note how the woman’s clothing is functional and modest, in contrast with the elaborate fashions of the shopkeeper. This difference suggests a commentary on the role of faith in daily life and economic exchange. Does the shopkeeper respect the woman’s values, or is he taking advantage of her? This work invites us to consider the intersections of faith, commerce, and social class, and how these dynamics played out in the daily lives of ordinary people.