Il Pescato Della Sciabica 1890

Pasquale Celommi painted ‘Il Pescato Della Sciabica’ showing a group of Italian fishermen hauling their catch ashore at dawn. The image presents a rural coastal scene which was a popular theme for artists in late 19th century Italy. The cultural context is one of significant social and economic change. We see the visual codes of romantic realism with the emphasis on the dignity of labour, typical of this period. The depiction of the family, the fishermen, women and children, creates a sense of community integral to Italian culture. Celommi’s attention to detail and naturalistic style evokes a sense of realism, yet also idealizes the scene, possibly commenting on contemporary social structures, and offering a vision of idealized rural life during a period of industrialization and urbanization. To further understand this painting, we can research Celommi’s life, the history of the coastal region, and critical responses to such paintings at the time. Art history shows us how images reflect the values and concerns of their time.