The Knife Grinder c. 18th century

Editor: This is "The Knife Grinder" by Giovanni Volpato. I’m struck by the depiction of labor. What do you see in this piece, especially considering the tools and the process of knife sharpening? Curator: The etching highlights the everyday labor typically excluded from high art. Note the emphasis on the means of production—the grinding wheel, the tools, and the collaborative labor of the man and boy. It raises questions about the value placed on craft versus fine art, and the social context of labor in 18th-century Italy. How might we interpret this in relation to contemporary notions of work? Editor: It makes me wonder about the role of prints in disseminating images of labor to a broader audience. Thanks, this was really interesting. Curator: Indeed, the print medium democratized access to such imagery, prompting reflection on the material conditions of labor and its representation.