Figuren, beroepen en ambachtslieden 1822 - 1849

This print, made by J.J. Bollemij in Amsterdam, presents a collection of figures, professions, and trades. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the social fabric of the Dutch Republic, likely sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The image creates meaning through visual codes of labor. Each figure is meticulously depicted, highlighting the tools and tasks associated with their respective occupations. Consider the social conditions that shaped artistic production. The Dutch Republic was a highly commercial society, so images like this celebrated labor and trade. The print also reflects the institutional history of Dutch art, which was closely tied to the market. We can ask: Does the artwork comment on the social structures of its own time? Is it self-consciously conservative or progressive? Does it critique the institutions of art? To understand this print better, we can research trade guilds, social hierarchies, and the visual culture of the Dutch Republic. It's by understanding art's social and institutional context that we can truly grasp its meaning.