Beroepen 1822 - 1849

This undated print by I.I. de Lanier, titled "Beroepen," was produced in Amsterdam and is currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The work is composed of eight small images, each depicting a different occupation. Prints like this one served a vital public role in early modern Europe. As a means of mass communication, printmaking allowed for the dissemination of information, ideas, and social commentary to a wide audience. This particular print seems to celebrate the labor of ordinary people, representing a cross-section of Dutch society and its various industries. The scenes remind us of the importance of human labor in a pre-industrial world. Analyzing the visual codes of the image – the tools, clothing, and settings – alongside historical accounts and economic records, we can learn more about the social conditions that shaped artistic production in the Netherlands at this time. By focusing on the context, we recognize art’s dependence on social and institutional forces.