Fishing [La pesca] 1864

Antonio Fontanesi created this print titled, Fishing, using etching. Two nude children are shown in an idyllic landscape with trees and tall grasses, the pair wading into the water with sticks, presumably for fishing. The figures are evocative of classical depictions of putti, the chubby male children, often nude and winged, that appear in Renaissance and Baroque art. These figures, rooted in ancient Roman art, were commonly associated with love, innocence, and playful innocence. This symbolic association can be traced back to ancient fertility rituals. In Fontanesi's image, the putti are recast in a naturalistic setting, and without wings. The symbolism shifts from the celestial to the earthly, from divine love to a more innocent, primal connection to nature. The image resonates on a subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory of childhood and the lost paradise of innocence. The motif of the child-like figure persists and evolves, reflecting our changing relationship with nature, love, and spirituality.