Nieuwjaarswens van de Amsterdamse askarrenmannen voor het jaar 1845 1844 - 1845

This is a new year's wish from the Amsterdam ash carters for 1845, printed in Amsterdam. These ash carters, or "asch-karmannen," occupied a distinct, and often stigmatized, position in Amsterdam's society. The print offers a glimpse into the complex social fabric of the city, where class distinctions were deeply entrenched. The poem inscribed in the print reveals their hopes for the new year: "May God grant us his favor." It speaks to a desire for divine grace and prosperity, reflecting the precarity of their occupation. The image also portrays the carters interacting with the residents. This exchange underscores the interdependence between different social strata. It gives the carters a face and a voice, while challenging the prevailing negative stereotypes of the time. This print is a poignant reminder of the lives and labors of the asch-karmannen, who toiled in the shadows to keep Amsterdam clean.