Fishermen with Net 1940

John Lonergan made this print, "Fishermen with Net," at some point in the mid-20th century. It's an image that seems to embody a kind of social realism, focusing on the labour of working-class men. Here, the cultural associations are clear: the fishermen represent a traditional way of life, one tied to the sea and physical work. We might want to consider the context in which Lonergan was working. Was this image intended to celebrate the dignity of labour? Was it made to critique a society that often overlooks the contributions of working-class people? It would be interesting to consider the institutions that might have supported or exhibited Lonergan’s work. To really understand a print like this, we need to go beyond the surface and explore the social and cultural forces at play. We might research the history of fishing communities in Ireland, examine the role of art schools and galleries in promoting social realism, or delve into archives and records from the period. The meaning of this artwork is tied to its time, and the more we know about that time, the richer our understanding can be.