Onderscheiden werkzaamheden, alle bronnen van bestaan / En der maatschappy onmisbaar, treft de lieve jeugd hier aan 1806 - 1858

Editor: This print, "Onderscheiden werkzaamheden, alle bronnen van bestaan / En der Maatschappy onmisbaar, treft de lieve jeugd hier aan," roughly translates to "Various activities, all sources of existence / And indispensable to society, the dear youth find here". It's by Willem Carl Wansleven, sometime between 1806 and 1858, using engraving techniques. I'm immediately struck by its presentation of labour; it's like a chart of trades. What’s your interpretation of the piece, particularly regarding its focus on professions? Curator: What immediately catches my eye is how this piece functions as a form of social commentary, specifically regarding labour and its role within societal structures. Let's consider the context. This was produced during a period of significant socio-economic shifts. What do you notice about *who* is depicted engaging in these "indispensable" professions? Editor: Well, they all seem to be men… except potentially the clothier or knife sharpener. It’s hard to say. Is it making a comment about who has access to certain jobs? Curator: Precisely! The glaring omission of women from most of these trades, regardless of the ambiguity you noticed, reflects a patriarchal power structure where access to skilled labour was often restricted by gender. How do you see that impacting how "youth" or anyone can approach different industries and professions? Editor: It highlights that accessing certain trades or activities may not be available to the youth in general, but mostly young boys. Also, this image teaches the importance of skilled trades. Curator: Yes. The print isn't merely a neutral depiction of professions; it subtly reinforces existing social hierarchies, reflecting gendered and potentially other biased notions of labor. A deceptively simple image reveals itself as a potent cultural document. Editor: It's amazing how a seemingly straightforward depiction can reveal so much about the social norms and power dynamics of its time! I would have considered it just a guide to labour had we not examined it so thoroughly.