Transportation of Ice 1849

Lev Lagorio painted this scene of ice transportation using oil paint on canvas. Here, the material qualities of paint are used to depict the qualities of ice: its color, its reflective nature, and its weight. The work shows us more than just a depiction of a winter landscape, it illustrates the labor involved in harvesting and transporting ice blocks, a vital commodity before refrigeration. We see figures struggling to move the weighty ice, using tools and simple machines like sleds and levers. The presence of the horse is key, highlighting the collaboration between human and animal labor in this demanding process. Lagorio invites us to consider the social and economic context of 19th-century life, where ice was a luxury, harvested through immense manual effort. Next time you have a cold drink, consider the labor involved in that simple pleasure!