Scharensliep 1859 - 1916

Wilhelm Wörnle created this print titled 'Scharensliep.' Here, we see the labor of the artisan, likely a knife sharpener, rendered through the laborious process of printmaking. The grainy texture, a result of the artist’s chosen technique, suggests a gritty reality. The grinding wheel, the very instrument of the sharpener's trade, dominates the composition, reflecting the physical demands of his work. Consider the number of actions required to create an image like this: the artist first had to conceive and execute the design; next, the image was transferred onto a plate. Finally, the print was produced. Every stage demands precision and skill. The final print captures not just an image, but also a sense of the sharpener's labor, echoing the craft traditions of those that came before. The artist's choice of subject is important. Wörnle elevates this everyday craftsman to a subject worthy of artistic consideration, blurring traditional boundaries between fine art and the lives of working people.