Artwork
Bertoldo with a Sieve on His Head
Bertoldo with a Sieve on His Head is an ink print by the Baroque artist Giuseppe Maria Crespi. It dates from 1712 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Bertoldo with a Sieve on His Head is an etching on laid paper created by Giuseppe Maria Crespi, a Bolognese painter, around 1712.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a man balancing a sieve on his head, holding a basket, and walking along a path. The image is accompanied by Italian text that humorously comments on the man's absurd task. The subject is drawn from popular storytelling traditions.
Technique & Style
Crespi's etching technique achieves sharp, detailed lines. The background features wavy lines, suggesting movement or wind. The overall style is characteristic of Crespi's later work, which included genre scenes alongside other subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giuseppe Maria Crespi (14 March 1665 – 16 July 1747), nicknamed Lo Spagnuolo ('The Spaniard'), was an Italian late Baroque painter of the Bolognese School.
