Ambachten 1838 - 1892

This lithograph, titled 'Ambachten' and made by Hermann van der Moolen, likely dates from the late 19th century in the Netherlands, and depicts scenes from various trades. These kinds of prints, often found in children's books, were tools of social instruction as much as entertainment. The images create meaning through the depiction of labor. We see workers engaged in blacksmithing, carpentry, construction, and other trades, showcasing the variety of occupations that sustained Dutch society. The scenes are idealized, presenting a vision of industriousness and social order. The presence of accompanying text in Dutch reinforces the print's didactic function, offering moral lessons alongside visual representation. What makes this print fascinating for the social historian is its connection to broader cultural and economic shifts. As industrialization transformed Dutch society, prints like these served to valorize traditional crafts and instill values of hard work and self-reliance in the younger generation. By studying these images and the texts that accompany them, we gain insight into the social values and anxieties of the time.