Jonge vrouw, een koperen bak schoonmakend 1849

Coenraad Hamburger made this watercolor, "Young Woman Cleaning a Copper Pot," sometime in the mid-19th century. The earthy tones of the wash emphasize the weight of the everyday: the labor of keeping house, the rough texture of the wooden shoes, the solid presence of the copper pot. Copper is a particularly interesting material here. It's valuable, but also demanding. It tarnishes easily, requiring constant care to maintain its gleam. Consider the skill involved in forming the copper, likely beaten into shape by a specialist. Think too about the labor required to mine and refine the metal from the earth. Hamburger hasn’t romanticized labor; instead he directs our attention to the many different kinds of work that make a society function. By focusing on these materials and processes, Hamburger elevates the quotidian, inviting us to consider the value of labor often overlooked in traditional fine art.