Fries met zesendertig straatverkopers werkzaam in Keulen, waaronder almanak- en krantverkoper, gedrukt van drie platen (plaat één]. 1589

"Fries met zesendertig straatverkopers werkzaam in Keulen, waaronder almanak- en krantverkoper, gedrukt van drie platen (plaat één]." was created by Frans Hogenberg in the late 16th century. This print presents a tableau of thirty-six street vendors in Cologne, offering us a glimpse into the city's vibrant, yet often overlooked, working class. Consider the period in which Hogenberg was working. The rise of printmaking coincided with an increased interest in documenting everyday life. This piece reflects a society undergoing significant economic and social change, where the labor of ordinary people was becoming increasingly visible. Notice how the vendors are depicted. Each figure is carefully rendered, with attention to their clothing, the goods they carry, and their posture. The vendors represent a range of trades from the selling of fruit to books. These details offer insight into the socioeconomic landscape of the time, highlighting the diverse occupations that sustained the city's economy. How does this image speak to the broader themes of labor, identity, and representation in art? What does it mean to see these everyday figures immortalized in print?