De Zadelmaker - Cornelis van der Sys

An eighteenth-century Dutch etching depicting a saddler at work, part of a series documenting various trades and occupations.

This etching by Cornelis van der Sys depicts a saddler at work, a scene belonging to a broader series titled 'Menselyk Bedryf' (Human Occupations). The composition captures a moment of interaction between the craftsman and a customer, who stands beside a horse. The saddler is shown adjusting equipment, while various leather goods hang from the exterior of the workshop, providing a clear indication of the trade. A small dog sits quietly in the foreground, adding a domestic detail to the urban setting.

The work employs fine, precise lines characteristic of early eighteenth-century Dutch printmaking. Van der Sys uses cross-hatching to define shadows and textures, particularly in the leather items and the horse's coat. The inclusion of text above and below the image frame serves both as a title and a moralising verse, a common feature in Dutch prints of this period. The poem reflects on the nature of control, comparing the taming of a horse to the discipline of the human spirit.

Van der Sys was active in the Netherlands during a period when genre scenes documenting daily life and trades were popular among collectors. This print offers a glimpse into the material culture of the era, showing the tools and products of a saddler. The perspective is shallow, focusing the viewer's attention on the figures and the immediate environment of the workshop. The print is preserved with its original plate marks and typography, maintaining the integrity of the historical document. It provides a record of the specialised crafts that supported the transport and agricultural needs of the Dutch Republic.