Fries met zesendertig straatverkopers werkzaam in Keulen, waaronder almanak- en krantverkoper, gedrukt van drie platen (plaat twee en drie aan elkaar gemonteerd] 1589

Frans Hogenberg created this print of thirty-six street vendors in Cologne sometime between 1540 and 1590. Hogenberg’s detailed engraving captures the hustle and bustle of 16th-century urban life. Each figure, rendered with a keen eye, offers a glimpse into the economic activities and social strata of the time. Consider how gender and class are intertwined here. Women, often burdened with heavy loads on their heads, engage in physical labor that mirrors but also contrasts with the trades of men. The almanac and newspaper vendors also point to the rise of literacy and the spread of information, reflecting a society undergoing significant change. This print is not just a historical document, but a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of ordinary people who shaped the urban landscape. It invites us to reflect on the labor, the commerce, and the stories embedded in the everyday lives of those who came before us.