About the Artist

Giacomo Ceruti (1698 Milan-1767 Milan) was one of the most interesting Lombard painters of his time. He worked mostly in Brescua, but was also active in Venice and the Veneto around 1736, and in Padua up until 1740. In addition to religious works and portraits, he is especially known for his depictions of the common folk. He shows the plight of this class of society with extraordinary conviction, giving us an unsettling view of humanity unknown until that time. With these pictures, which brought him the nickname of il Pitochetto ("Little beggar"), he founded a new style of genre painting. Major works by Ceruti include Women Doing Their Domestic Tasks, c. 1735, Collezione Conti Salvadego, Padernello, near Brescia; Laundry Woman, c. 1736, Pinacoteca Civica, Brescia; and Still Life with hen, Onion and terracotta Vessel, 1750-1760, private collection.