Two carriers of cinnamon bundles 1662

Esaias Boursse rendered this drawing of two carriers of cinnamon bundles with graphite on paper. Here, the material simplicity of graphite becomes a lens through which we can view the complexities of 17th-century trade and labor. The artist's delicate strokes capture the weight borne by these figures, not only of the cinnamon itself, but also the broader economic forces at play. Graphite, easily manipulated, mirrors the cinnamon carriers' own physical work, and the labor required to transport valuable goods across continents, from the East Indies to Europe. The subtleties in shading reveal the contours of their bodies, strained by the task. This drawing is a reminder of the human effort behind global commerce, subtly critiquing the separation between consumer and producer. By focusing on the labor and materials, Boursse invites us to consider the full story, beyond the spice's aromatic allure.