Bust of the Fisherboy c. 1876 - 1886

Vincenzo Gemito created this bronze sculpture of a "Fisherboy" sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Bronze is a traditional material, but its use here reflects Gemito’s focus on capturing everyday life rather than idealised forms. The lost-wax casting process allowed Gemito to create a highly textured surface. You can see the marks of his tools on the boy’s hair and face. This rough, unfinished quality was a deliberate choice, moving away from the smooth surfaces favored in academic sculpture. Instead, Gemito embraces a realism that reflects the gritty reality of working-class life in Naples. The sculpture speaks to broader social issues. The “fisherboy” was a common Romantic trope, but here the boy’s downcast gaze suggests the hardship and labor of his daily life. Gemito’s skill transforms bronze into a powerful social statement, blurring the lines between fine art and social commentary.