Derde slede 1776

Nicolaas van der Worm made this etching, “Derde slede,” sometime in the late 18th century, using a metal plate to create this print on paper. Note the emphasis on line, which beautifully describes the scene, and the details of the garments and horse tack. Yet it also reveals the division of labor, from the men carrying torches, to the armed driver, to the richly dressed passengers, and finally the highly adorned horses pulling them all along. Van der Worm clearly wants us to appreciate the textures and finishes of the objects depicted. Think, though, about the many hands involved in providing them. The making of textiles, metal, and the construction of the sled itself are all processes performed by specialized, skilled workers. This image, therefore, is not just a portrayal of leisure, but also a document of production. By considering not only the image but the labor involved, we can see how prints like this reflect the social dynamics of the period, challenging any simple distinction between high art and the world of making.