Armenpot Sint Jacob uitsnede.png

People’s health has fluctuated throughout the centuries. Thus, around the year 1000 people were, on average, about 6.5cm taller than people living in 1700 or 1850. It was only around 1940 that people grew to be as tall as people in the early Middle Ages.

One of the reasons for the diminishing height was the growing disparity between the rich and poor. Cities also became increasingly unhealthy places to live in. 

Charity, detail of inv.no. 2473