Artwork
Caprices: Two Standing Beggars and a Cripple
Caprices: Two Standing Beggars and a Cripple 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
Stefano della Bella's 'Caprices: Two Standing Beggars and a Cripple' is an etching created around 1642. It is part of a large body of work that includes over a thousand prints and numerous drawings.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts three beggars in a city street scene, with a seated cripple and two standing figures, one using a crutch and the other holding a staff. The background features a detailed cityscape with buildings and a church steeple.
Technique & Style
The work showcases della Bella's use of chiaroscuro, with strong contrasts between light and dark. Intricate lines and shading create depth and dimensionality, characteristic of his capricci series, which blends realism with imaginative detail.
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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