De Kammemaker (The Comb Maker) - Cornelis van der Sys

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Cornelis van der Sys depicting a Dutch comb maker at work in his workshop.

This etching by Cornelis van der Sys depicts the interior of a seventeenth-century Dutch workshop dedicated to the production of combs. The scene is part of a series documenting various trades and professions, a popular subject for artists of the period who sought to record the daily activities of the urban working class.

In the foreground, a craftsman sits on a low stool, focused on shaping a piece of material, likely horn or wood, while two other figures work in the background. The composition is structured to provide a clear view of the tools and techniques employed by the comb maker. The workshop is filled with finished products hanging from the ceiling beams, while shelves line the walls, suggesting a productive and organised environment. Through the window, a glimpse of a Dutch townscape provides context for the location of the shop.

The print includes a descriptive title and a didactic poem in Dutch, which reflects the moralising tone often found in such depictions of labour. The text comments on the nature of the craft and draws a parallel between the physical act of untangling hair and the metaphorical state of the human heart. The etching technique allows for fine detail in the rendering of the tools and the textures of the workshop, capturing the atmosphere of a busy trade.

Cornelis van der Sys was a Dutch engraver and draughtsman active during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. His work often focused on the documentation of contemporary life, providing a visual record of the social and economic structures of the time. This piece is a representative example of the genre, offering a view into the specialised crafts that supported the urban economy of the Dutch Republic.