Marskramer bij vrouw met kind 1809 - 1852

Hendrik Rochussen created this print, "Marskramer bij vrouw met kind", sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Rochussen’s scene of a travelling salesman interacting with a woman and child offers a glimpse into the economic and social fabric of the Netherlands at the time. The image invites us to consider the role of itinerant trade in Dutch society. The salesman, laden with goods, represents a vital link between urban production and rural consumers. What opportunities did this provide for social mobility, and what challenges did it pose to established commercial structures? We might also ask how gender roles are portrayed here; the woman tending to domestic duties while engaging in commerce with the travelling salesman. Further research into Dutch economic history and visual culture of the period can help us better understand this artwork. By delving into archival sources, such as trade records, newspaper advertisements, and other images of daily life, we can contextualize Rochussen's work and gain insights into the social dynamics it reflects.