Vissers vangen tonijn met spiezen 1605

Antonio Tempesta made this print, 'Fishermen Catching Tuna with Spears', using engraving techniques sometime between 1555 and 1630. Engraving involves cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then transferring the ink to paper under high pressure. The stark contrast between line and background gives the scene a dramatic quality. Consider the labor involved. Not just Tempesta's focused work, but the fishermen's grueling physical effort too. They are engaged in a traditional practice passed down through generations. Look at the collaborative way in which they work, and the sharp spears, the specialized tools essential for this dangerous task. This image highlights the social dimensions of work, and also its precariousness. It is a reminder that all artworks are the product of immense, often invisible labor. We should remember that when considering their value.