Het Menselyk Bedryf ("The Book of Trades")

Surgery in Amsterdam (ca. 1690)

Het Menselyk Bedryf ("The Book of Trades") is an Emblem book of 100 engravings by Jan Luyken and his son Caspar published in 1694, illustrating various trades in Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age. The majority of the trades shown are from the textile industry (12), followed by marine pursuits (8). The book follows the moralist contemporary style of the then hugely popular emblem books of Jacob Cats, containing a moralistic poem per trade.

Trade titles by page number

1 Baker – Backer
2 Tailor – Kleermaker
3 Carpenter – Timmerman
4 Bricklayer – Metselaar
5 Glazier – Glasemaaker
6 Plumber – Lootgieter
7 Cabinet-maker – Schrijnwerker
8 Brush-maker – Schuyermaaker
9 Broom-maker – Beesemmaaker
10 Basket-maker – Mandemaaker
11 Sieve maker – Seevemaaker
12 Chair-maker – Stoelemaaker
13 Spinner (thread twister) – Gaarentwynder
14 Silk maker – Syreeder
15 Wool-dresser – Wolbereider
16 Weaver – Weever
17 Cloth-shearer – Droogscheerder
18 Dyer – Veruwer
19 Shoemaker – Schoenmaaker
20 Comb maker – Kammemaaker
21 Optician – Brillemaaker
22 Needle maker – Naaldemaaker
23 Pin-maker – Speldemaaker
24 Gold-wire drawer – Gouddraadtrecker
25 Bronze-founder – Geelgieter
26 Tin-founder – Tinnegieter
27 Scales maker – Balansemaaker
28 Smith – Smit
29 Coppersmith – Kooperslaager
30 Lantern-maker – Lantaarenmaaker
31 Cutler – Messemaaker
32 Armourer – Swaardveeger
33 Gunsmith – Roeremaaker
34 Skate-maker – Schaatsemaaker
35 Pole-maker – Boommaaker
36 Cannon-maker – Pompemaaker
37 Ship's carpenter – Scheepstimmerman
38 Rope maker – Lyndraaier
39 Sail-maker – Seilemaaker
40 Cooper – Kuiper
41 Oil-maker – Olislaager
42 Candle-maker – Kaarsemaaker
43 Butcher – Vleeshouwer
44 Pastry-chef – Pasteibacker
45 Confectioner (Sugar manufacture) – Suikerbacker
46 Apothecary – Apotheeker
47 Gardener (Horticulturist) – Hovenier
48 Miller – Moolenaar
49 Brewer – Brouwer
50 Grocer – Grutter

51 Wagonwright – Waagemaaker
52 Saddler – Saalemaaker
53 Bellows-maker – Blaasbalckemaaker
54 Turner – Draaier
55 Instrument-maker – Instrumentmaaker
56 Barber-surgeon – Chirurgyn
57 Wig-maker – Pruikemaaker
58 Hatter – Hoedemaaker
59 Tanner – Leerbereider
60 Paper maker – Papiermaaker
61 Book-printer – Boeckdrucker
62 Copperplate printer – Plaatdrucker
63 Bookbinder – Boeckbinder
64 Schoolmaster – Schoolmeester
65 Clockmaker – Orlosimaaker
66 Mirror-maker – Spiegelmaaker
67 Glass-blower – Glasblaaser
68 Bleacher (for linen and wool) – Bleeker
69 Stone-sawyer – Steensager
70 Stonemason – Steenhouwer
71 Brick-maker – Tichgellaar
72 Potter – Pottebacker
73 Glue maker (for furniture and sizing) – Lymmaaker
74 Peat-cutter – Veender
75 Miner – Bergwercker
76 Minter (coin maker) – Munter
77 Goldbeater – Goudslager
78 Silversmith – Silversmit
79 Goldsmith – Goudsmit
80 Diamond-cutter – Diamantslyper
81 Pearl hole-maker – Peerelgaater
82 Embroiderer – Borduurder
83 Tapestry-maker – Tapeitwerker
84 Painter – Schilder
85 Engraver – Plaatsnyder
86 Sculptor – Beeldhouwer
87 Musician – Musikant
88 Astrologer – Astrologist
89 Lawyer – Advokaat
90 Chemist – Scheider
91 Doctor (Physician) – Docter
92 Teacher (Preacher) – Leeraar
93 Farmer (Landowner) – Landman
94 Sailor – Zeeman
95 Fisherman – Visser
96 Hunter – Jaager
97 Merchant (Banker) – Koopman
98 Soldier (Officer) – Krygsman
99 Ruler (Prince) – Heerscher
100 Grave-digger – Doodgraaver

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jan Luyken.