A Peasant Family Cooking over a Campfire 

Bartolomeo Pinelli created "A Peasant Family Cooking over a Campfire" using watercolor and etching techniques on paper. Pinelli, who lived in Rome during a time of significant social change, often depicted scenes of everyday life. In this image, he presents a romanticized view of rural Italian peasants. The family is gathered around a fire, engaged in the seemingly simple act of cooking. But look closer, and you might notice the idealized portrayal of their clothing, the classical features, and the harmonious arrangement of figures. Pinelli seems to be inviting us to see the virtue and simplicity in peasant life, perhaps in contrast to the perceived decadence of urban society. However, this representation can also be viewed as a commentary on social class, where the labor and lives of the working class are aestheticized for consumption by a wealthier audience. As we contemplate this scene, consider the real lives of the peasants.