Winter 

"Winter" was painted by Jacopo Bassano sometime in the latter half of the 16th century. Bassano lived and worked in the Republic of Venice, and this genre scene reflects the lives of the peasant class, infused with an idealized, pastoral sentiment. The painting depicts a tightly knit community enduring the hardships of winter. The figures, huddled together for warmth, evoke a sense of communal resilience against the cold. Bassano blurs the lines between the everyday and the sacred by emphasizing the virtue of the peasant family. How does Bassano navigate the complexities of class and labor? By portraying the scene with an empathetic eye, he elevates the status of the working class, challenging traditional, hierarchical representations of Venetian society. While we don't have any direct quotes from Bassano about "Winter", his attention to detail and emotional nuance indicates the value that he placed on portraying the lived experiences of everyday people. In his compassionate and tender depiction of a winter scene, Bassano speaks to the enduring human capacity for solidarity and perseverance.