Manier om stenen onderwater op te tillen in de haven van Livorno 1696

This print, titled ‘Manier om stenen onderwater op te tillen in de haven van Livorno’ and made by an anonymous artist, shows a method for lifting stones underwater in the port of Livorno. Focusing on the social conditions that shape artistic production, this print highlights the historical context of labor and engineering in the port city. Livorno, located in Italy, was a significant Mediterranean port. The image provides insight into the economic structures of the time. We can note the lack of advanced technology and the reliance on manual labor. The print’s detailed depiction of the process suggests it was intended to document and disseminate this method, possibly for practical or commercial purposes. To fully understand this artwork, one might research the history of Livorno's port, engineering practices of the period, and the role of prints in disseminating technical knowledge. By examining the print’s social and institutional context, we gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.