Crespi was born and died in Bologna, a prosperous university city in Italy's fertile Po Valley. He worked in his hometown and the surrounding area.
Here, appropriately, we we see a group of musicians. It's an informal group of locals playing an interesting mix of instruments: a large triangle with rings, a recorder (that clearly requires some puff) and a lyre.
Its a rarity, Crespi was one of the few artists of his day to paint everyday scenes with everyday people.
We're in the thick of the action in Crespi's accompanying market scene.
Sleeves rolled up, men heave baskets of bread and hoist sacks.
As with his local musicians, Crespi has chosen earthly tones and he uses light and dark to great effect. The rolled up white sleeve and white blaze on the beautifully painted donkey's nose give this group an almost 3-dimensional feel.
We move to Finland and forward a few centuries to this lake scene by Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela.
Born in Pori in western Finland as a child he developed a deep love of the Finnish countryside.
This painting (one of four related paintings) is significant on a number of levels. Painted at a time of political change for the country - an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire at the time - the timeless view of the lake would be a symbol of national identity.
