Beroepen en bezigheden 1822 - 1849

This undated print, Beroepen en bezigheden, or Occupations and Activities, was made by Alexander Cranendoncq. The figures in this print are depicted as archetypes, embodying idealized roles within society. Each vignette, with its rhyming text, presents a vision of labor, and life, that's both orderly and purposeful. Consider the gendered division of labor represented here. Men are seen engaging in various forms of trade, manual work, and commerce, while women are relegated to the domestic sphere. How do these images reflect the period’s social norms, and how might they have influenced viewers' perceptions of themselves and their place in society? I wonder if the artist was conscious of these choices. This print offers a glimpse into a world of work and social order from the 19th century. It serves as a reminder that the values and norms of any given time are not neutral, but are shaped by cultural, economic, and political forces.