Artwork
Caprices: Seated Beggar
Caprices: Seated Beggar is a print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1642, *Caprices: Seated Beggar* is an etching by the Florentine artist Stefano della Bella. Part of his extensive series of capricious genre scenes, the work depicts a solitary figure seated on the ground in a rural setting. The print belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and exemplifies della Bella’s prolific output of more than a thousand prints.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a man turned away from the viewer, seated on a meadow floor with a cloak draped over his legs. The figure’s posture and the quiet landscape suggest a moment of pause or contemplation, inviting reflection on the everyday life of a beggar within a natural environment.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, the composition relies on bold, fluid lines and limited shading to convey form. Della Bella’s hand is evident in the loose, expressive strokes that outline the figure and surrounding foliage, aligning the work with Baroque sensibilities that favor dynamic drawing and emotive presence despite the restrained tonal range.
History & Provenance
Stefano della Bella (1610–1664) produced thousands of drawings and prints throughout his career, with *Capries: Seated Beggar* representing his interest in genre subjects. The print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing, contributing to the museum’s representation of 17th‑century Italian printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes.
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