Italian Harbor with a Fortified Tower 1664

Johannes Lingelbach likely created this Italian Harbor scene in the mid-17th century using oil paints, a medium that enabled the detailed depiction of everyday life. Here, the material reality is palpable: the rough-hewn timbers of the ship, the coarse clothing of the laborers, and the solid stone of the tower. Lingelbach was clearly attentive to the way things are made, from the construction of the vessels in the harbor to the architecture dominating the scene. These are all products of skilled trades, passed down through generations. The painting acknowledges the labor upon which maritime trade depended. The artist's decision to portray these workers so prominently invites us to consider the social context of their work. It blurs the boundaries between picturesque landscape and social commentary. By focusing on the materiality and making of this scene, we gain a richer understanding of the lives and labor that animated the bustling harbors of the era, and of the relationship between art and everyday life.