Verkoper van kippenmest 1660

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli created this etching, "Verkoper van kippenmest," which translates to "Seller of Chicken Manure," sometime in the 17th or early 18th century. The composition immediately draws us into the laborer's plight through the strong diagonal lines formed by his posture and tools. The figure is burdened by a bucket and sack, rendered with meticulous detail through a dense network of hatched lines that model the weight and texture of his load. Mitelli’s use of line is not merely descriptive; it constructs a visual metaphor for the socio-economic structures of his time. The hunched posture and the rough textures of his garments, etched with a stark realism, evoke a sense of relentless physical labor. The backdrop of a simple wall with minimal adornment acts as a stage, focusing our attention on the individual and his immediate struggle. This work, therefore, is not simply a depiction but a structured commentary on labor. It uses the formal elements of line and composition to engage with the broader cultural discourse around class and survival.