Jonge visser 1547 - 1602

This is an engraving of a marble sculpture of a young fisherman, made by an anonymous artist. The image captures a boy in a classical pose, seemingly carefree as he fishes. Yet, what does it mean to aestheticize labor, particularly that of a child? This image evokes complex questions about class and privilege. The original sculpture was found in the Vatican, a space of immense power, suggesting that it was made for an elite audience far removed from the realities of working-class life. The figure is idealized, his labor made to seem picturesque rather than arduous. The act of engraving further distances us from the original object, turning it into a commodity that can be reproduced and disseminated. This raises issues of authenticity, and the politics of representation. How do we reconcile the beauty of the image with the social realities it obscures?