Neapolitanske fiskerdrenge som spiller kort. Flere fiskere er beskæftiget med deres net. I baggrunden ses Capri 1847

This is Christen Købke’s drawing “Neapolitan Fisher Boys Playing Cards,” created with pencil on paper. Painted during the Danish Golden Age, it offers us a window into the lives of working-class children in 19th-century Naples, Italy. At first glance, it seems a charming scene of leisure, but let's consider the social context. These children were likely engaged in labor, and their youth was spent learning the trade. The casual depiction of labor invites us to consider how class is represented. We see their clothing and bare feet, marking them as working class. The depiction of the fisher boys and their families contrasts with the romanticized image of Italy often consumed by wealthy Danish tourists. Köbke may be prompting us to reflect on the social realities that underlie picturesque scenes. As you gaze at this drawing, reflect on the lives of these children and the society that shaped their experiences. Think about what is revealed and what remains hidden.