On the island of Capri. Fisher's house. 1859

Lev Lagorio painted "On the island of Capri. Fisher's house" at a time when travel to southern locales was becoming increasingly popular among the European elite. Lagorio, who was of Italian-Armenian heritage, spent much of his career as a painter for the Russian Imperial Navy. This informs his focus on maritime landscapes. Capri, with its stunning natural beauty and historical depth, became a favored destination. This work invites us to consider the lives of the local population against the backdrop of the island’s allure for tourists and artists. The house, which is built precariously on the edge of the cliff, speaks to the hardscrabble existence of fishermen. This contrasts sharply with the Romantic vision that was often projected onto such landscapes. Lagorio’s painting exists in a complex tension, showing both the picturesque charm and the reality of life in this coastal community. The painting gently pushes us to reflect on the intersections of labor, leisure, and the commodification of culture.