Ziet allerlei bedryf en werk / hier voor uw oog geteekend / Beschouw het met vermaek, en met / Wat elk zyn voordeel rekent 1833 - 1900

This print by Glenisson & Van Genechten presents us with an overview of labor, delineated in twelve separate scenes. It’s printed on paper, a relatively inexpensive material that allowed for broad distribution, and it's been hand-colored, adding visual appeal. The composition is the key here: various forms of work are shown side-by-side, implicitly given equal value. We see a soldier standing guard, a farmer carrying a heavy load, and a well-dressed couple strolling, perhaps representing the fruits of labor. The image suggests a social contract, showing various contributors to society’s well-being. The print is relatively simple, reflecting the intention for wide circulation, rather than elite consumption. The makers engaged with both commercial printing and traditional coloring techniques, a blend that democratizes art, making it accessible. By focusing on the realities of labor, the print invites us to consider the value of all types of work, a concept that resonates far beyond fine art traditions.