Hier hebje 't leven en bedrijf / Van Jan de Wasser en zijn wijf 1738 - 1767

This broadside print, made by Gijsbert de Groot Keur in Amsterdam, uses engraving on paper to depict the life and business of Jan de Wasser and his wife. The print’s visual language, with its sequential panels and simple figuration, comes straight from the world of popular illustration. The relatively inexpensive process of engraving would have allowed for mass production, disseminating these images widely. The social context of this print is particularly interesting: it speaks to the rising merchant class in the Netherlands, portraying the daily activities and struggles of a working family. The labor-intensive work of laundry is front and center, showing the literal grit and grime of early modern life. The materiality of this print, therefore, isn’t just about paper and ink; it’s about the social fabric it represents, highlighting the everyday experiences of ordinary people. This piece reminds us that even seemingly humble objects can offer valuable insights into the history of labor, class, and consumption.