Mending the Nets 1894

Editor: Liebermann's "Mending the Nets," seemingly from the late 19th or early 20th century, uses etching to portray women engaged in labor. The texture created by the etched lines is fascinating. What does this depiction of labor and materials say to you? Curator: The act of mending itself speaks volumes. Liebermann highlights the labor and the physicality of the fishing industry. The nets, the tools, the very act of repair. It shows how the means of production—fishing—relies heavily on this often-overlooked, repetitive work. Editor: So, you see this piece as drawing attention to the production process and the value of labor, rather than focusing on the aesthetic qualities of the image? Curator: Exactly. It's a conscious elevation of what was then considered "low" labor to the realm of fine art by emphasizing the process and the social context of the work. Editor: That's a great point. I’ll definitely look at art through the lens of material production more often now.