Het schaap en zijn nut 1874

This print by De Ruyter & Meijer, titled "Het schaap en zijn nut", shows the transformation of wool from sheep to cloth. It's a lithograph, a printing process that allows for detailed images and text. What I find fascinating here is the artist's focus on the process – the labor that goes into making something as simple as a piece of clothing. We see each step: washing the sheep, shearing the wool, spinning it into thread, weaving the fabric, and finally, tailoring the clothes. It brings to mind a pre-industrial workshop, where everything was made by hand, a stark contrast to the mass-produced goods of today. The print emphasizes the skill and hard work required to transform raw materials into finished products. It reminds us that even the most everyday items have a complex history of labor and production behind them. By highlighting these processes, De Ruyter & Meijer elevate the status of craft, showing its vital role in society.