Artwork
Menghina with a Basket of Herbs
Menghina with a Basket of Herbs 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
Menghina with a Basket of Herbs is an etching on laid paper created by Giuseppe Maria Crespi around 1712. It is a representative work of the Bolognese School during the late Baroque period.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts two women outdoors, one standing with a basket of herbs and the other leaning in curiously. The scene reflects Crespi's focus on everyday life, capturing a moment of interaction between the two figures.
Technique & Style
Crespi used fine lines to convey texture and detail, such as the folds in the women's clothing. The etching's soft lines and faint background, hinting at trees and sky, contribute to its understated yet engaging quality.
History & Provenance
The print is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington. As a leading figure of the Bolognese School, Crespi's work, including this etching, showcases his skill in genre scenes and everyday 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.
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