Viktualienhändler mit seinem Knecht und Schubkarren before 1817

This watercolor entitled, *Viktualienhändler mit seinem Knecht und Schubkarren*, or *Greengrocer with his Servant and Wheelbarrow*, was created by C. H. Meyer. With a keen eye, Meyer captures the interactions of people from different social classes in Germany. In this piece, we see a greengrocer and his servant against the backdrop of an urbanizing society in which the division of labor was becoming more pronounced. Meyer subtly portrays the dynamic between the two men, highlighting their contrasting attire and postures. Notice how the greengrocer is looking upwards and the servant's gaze is downwards. The greengrocer stands upright in his clean dressing gown, seemingly directing operations, while the servant is hunched over, bearing the weight of the load, a visual representation of his social position and the physical demands placed upon him. Meyer's approach invites us to consider the broader implications of labor and class in 18th century society, capturing the human experiences embedded within these historical and economic structures.