Kermisprent van de Amsterdamse karrenman voor het jaar 1796 1796

This print, made by Hermanus Numan in 1796, presents a kermisprent—a fair print—of an Amsterdam carter, using etching. Notice how the composition is structured around contrasts. The detailed cityscape in the background clashes with the rough, almost caricatured figures in the foreground. The figures on the left and right, framing the central horse and carriage, are rendered with a stark realism that seems at odds with the idealized backdrop. The interplay between light and shadow accentuates the textures and forms, but also points to a deeper contrast between the festive occasion and the everyday realities of labour. This contrast suggests a questioning of the superficial unity celebrated during the kermis. The text below the image, filled with the language of freedom, equality, and brotherhood, serves as a kind of slogan. However, the visual juxtaposition suggests a more complex relationship between these ideals and the lived experiences of Amsterdam's citizens. The formal dissonance invites reflection on the era's socio-political tensions.