Eierverkoopster met twee manden aan een juk Possibly 1772 - 1833

This drawing, ‘Eierverkoopster met twee manden aan een juk,’ or ‘Egg Seller with Two Baskets on a Yoke’ was made by Mathias de Sallieth in the late 18th century. It is rendered in meticulous detail with a needle, likely on a copper plate. The incised lines capture the weight of the yoke, the weave of the baskets, and the delicate folds of the egg seller’s garments. The image offers insight into the labor involved in bringing goods to market at this time. Baskets like these were often made from willow or other pliable materials, and reflect a deep knowledge of local ecologies and traditional weaving practices. The yoke itself, a simple but effective design, speaks to the ingenuity required for physical labor, before the advent of motorized transport. Looking at such a drawing, we can appreciate the cultural significance of both craft and labor in shaping our everyday lives.