Rejefiskere i Bretagne 1887

Carl Locher created this etching titled 'Rejefiskere i Bretagne', or 'Shrimp Fishermen in Brittany', sometime during his career which spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At first glance, the print portrays a serene coastal scene of women harvesting shrimp. However, the image resonates with the socio-economic realities of women in Brittany during this period. These women, often from working-class backgrounds, faced harsh conditions. They labored in the tidal zones, their livelihoods intertwined with the sea's unpredictable nature. Locher, who often depicted maritime subjects, here captures their resilience and labor against the backdrop of the sea, reflecting the gendered division of labor and the economic struggles of women. The muted tones and detailed lines of the etching evoke a sense of both the beauty and the hardship inherent in their lives. It offers a glimpse into a world where the personal and the political intersect, where daily life is shaped by larger economic and social forces.