Ein trinkender und ein schlafender Savoyardenknabe 1786

Isaak Bager made this undated etching, "Ein trinkender und ein schlafender Savoyardenknabe," which translates to “A drinking and a sleeping Savoyard boy.” This artwork is more than just a charming scene; it’s a social document, a commentary on the lives of itinerant child laborers. Savoyards, from the region of Savoy in the Alps, were often sent away as children to work as chimney sweeps or street performers. Bager’s choice of subject matter reflects a growing awareness, in the late 18th century, of social inequalities and the exploitation of the poor. The contrast between the lively, drinking boy and his exhausted companion speaks volumes about the harsh realities of their existence. It subtly critiques the social structures that allowed such conditions to persist. To understand this image fully, we can delve into period documents about child labor, travel writing on the Savoyard region, and studies of street culture. We discover the meanings of art are always rooted in real-world conditions.