Netta pozzi (Water Well Cleaner), Plate 45 - Simon Guillain

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Simon Guillain depicting a water well cleaner, part of a series documenting the street labourers of Bologna.

This etching by Simon Guillain, titled Netta pozzi, originates from a series documenting the street vendors and labourers of seventeenth-century Bologna. Guillain, a French sculptor and engraver, produced these plates after drawings by Annibale Carracci. The work captures a figure engaged in the manual labour of cleaning wells, carrying the necessary equipment on their back. The composition focuses on the physical reality of the trade, showing the tools and the posture of the worker with directness.

The technique employs fine, controlled lines to define form and texture. The cross-hatching provides depth to the wooden barrels and the figure's clothing, while the background remains relatively sparse to keep the attention on the subject. This series is a valuable record of social history, documenting the diverse roles that populated the urban environment of the period. Unlike more idealised depictions of the era, this print offers a glimpse into the daily life of the working class.

Guillain's approach to the subject is observational. The figure is depicted in motion, suggesting the transient nature of their work. The inclusion of the plate number in the corner indicates its place within a larger collection of similar studies. The print provides a clear view of the tools used for well maintenance, including the bucket and the pick, rendered with technical precision. This piece is suitable for those interested in historical prints, the history of labour, or the graphic traditions of the seventeenth century.