"Nach der Arbeit ist gut ruhn" c. 19th century

Curator: This is August Gaber's print, "Nach der Arbeit ist gut ruhn," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It translates to "After work, it's good to rest." Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the scene's warmth and the sheer number of figures rendered in such meticulous detail. Curator: Gaber likely intended to depict an idealized domestic scene. The labor involved in creating such an image, though, hints at the burgeoning print industry of the time. Editor: Absolutely. Consider how this image might circulate, shaping ideas of family and leisure within a particular socio-economic context. The print itself becomes a commodity. Curator: Precisely! Note the deliberate contrast between the laboring figures hinted at within the family structure, and the leisurely rest afforded after work. Editor: Viewing art like this reveals much about the social values assigned to work and family at the time, and how these values were actively disseminated and consumed. Curator: A worthwhile reflection on the image's function beyond its subject matter. Editor: Indeed; it's a poignant intersection of art, society, and the quiet moments in between.