Peasants with Donkeys
Artist: Giuseppe Maria Crespi (Italian, 1665 - 1747)
Original Dimensions: 37" x 21 1/8"
Location: National Gallery of Art, London
About Artwork: (About 1710-15) "Crespi is best known today for his paintings of everyday life. This scene, in which a man lifts a heavy basket of bread rolls from the side of his donkey, draws on the Bolognese tradition of depicting street vendors at their work. A bearded figure on the right raises his hand to purchase three of them, while the woman next to him looks intently towards the seller in an attempt to get his attention. A man carrying a sack on his shoulders strides past, glancing at the central figure as if he’s reacting to something the man is saying. The nocturnal setting allows for a dramatic contrast between light and dark areas, with particular details highlighted, such as the vendor’s muscular forearm and white sleeve. The three figures to the lower right emerge out of the gloom, the light revealing their individual facial features and expressions." - (National Gallery of Art, London)

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