Giuseppe Maria Crespi | Musicians | NG6626

Musicians

Giuseppe Maria Crespi

Crespi was the direct heir of the Carracci as a painter of everyday life, and played an important role in developing a taste for such scenes among his contemporaries. His interest in peasant subjects dates from his stay in Florence in 1709. This painting and its companion, 'Peasants with Donkeys' probably date from shortly after this.

In this painting, three peasants, perhaps shepherds, play a large triangle with rings, a recorder and a lyre. Behind them are soldiers and riders. Crespi uses nocturnal light effects to increase the drama of the scene.

Like its companion this picture has been cut down at the left and the top edges.

Key facts

Artist	Giuseppe Maria Crespi
Artist dates	1665 - 1747
Full title	Musicians
Group	Two Peasant Scenes
Date made	about 1710-15
Medium and support	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	100.8 x 50.1 cm
Acquisition credit	Presented by the Trustees of Sir Denis Mahon's Charitable Trust through the Art Fund, 2013
Inventory number	NG6626
Location in Gallery	Gallery A: Paintings after 1600

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Two Peasant Scenes

These two paintings were made as pendants, or companion pieces, and would have hung next to each other.

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Two Peasant Scenes

More paintings by Giuseppe Maria Crespi