Wijnflessenverkoopster 1769 - 1838

This print by Carlo Lasinio, made in the late 18th or early 19th century, depicts a wine bottle seller. Rather than rendering her in paint or marble, Lasinio has chosen the more modest medium of etching, a process involving acid, metal plates, and skilled handiwork. The etching captures the texture of the woman's woven basket and the delicate glass bottles within. Notice the way the lines define the weight of the basket, emphasizing the labor involved in her trade. The setting, too, is subtly evoked, with the architecture of the church providing a backdrop to her daily toil. Lasinio elevates the everyday by focusing on the material culture of labor, revealing the beauty and dignity inherent in the work of ordinary people. By doing so, he invites us to look beyond traditional notions of fine art and consider the artistry present in the most humble of trades.