Italiaanse danseres 1867

Jan Mesker made this print of an Italian dancer using etching and drypoint techniques. It captures an image of Southern European peasantry, a theme popular with audiences in the 19th century. Looking at this print today, it’s important to recognize how it idealizes a particular vision of Italian culture. As Italy moved toward unification, images like these played a role in constructing a romanticized national identity. You can see how her bare feet and simple clothing serve to highlight a connection to the land, a common trope in nationalist movements. Notice how the tambourine becomes symbolic of festive tradition. To understand this work more fully, we can look to archives and printed ephemera from the period. Researching the market for such images, and the expectations of the Dutch buying public, helps us appreciate its social and cultural context. Ultimately, art offers a window into the values and aspirations of a particular time and place.