Charity c. 19th century

Editor: This is Carlo Pestrini’s "Charity", its date is unknown, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. The detail in the etching is incredible. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice the material conditions depicted. The abundance of breast milk suggests a society free from scarcity, but what of the labor required to achieve such abundance? The social context implied is one of idealized maternal care, yet what were the real working conditions of women at that time? Editor: So you're saying it idealizes a labor process? Curator: Precisely. And how does the consumption of this image—its role as a commodity—relate to the very concept of charity it depicts? We must question the means of production and their implications. Editor: That's a very interesting way to look at it, focusing on the socio-economic aspects. Curator: Yes, it is about looking at the image through a different lens.