"The Beggar Family," a masterpiece by Pietro Bellotti (Volciano 1625-Gargnano 1700).
The painting depicting "an old beggar asking for alms, a child on the left and an old woman on the right" was executed by the master, with the probable collaboration of one of his students for the two background figures. A painting, depicting only the beggar's face, is located in the Krakow Museum.
Pietro Bellotti moved to Venice at the age of 12 and remained there, under the teachings of Forabosco, until 1670. Here he dedicated himself to portraiture, to which he approached with humanity, and his naturalism, in the manner of Ribeira, would point the way for artists of the genre who would succeed him, such as Giacomo Ceruti. Bellotti distinguished himself for the production of portraits and imaginative figures, known for the precision of the details, which earned him the possibility of becoming one of the most appreciated portrait painters of his time. To paint his figures, he drew inspiration from ordinary people, mixing a pinch of caricature into the depictions. His works, sometimes arid, are softened by a harmoniously mixed color, associated with a deep chiaroscuro that moderates and at the same time gives the figure a certain relief.
The painting is accompanied by an expertise from Prof. Luciano Anelli, author of the monograph on Bellotti. The painting is in excellent condition, with a restoration and relining dating back to the late nineties of the last century.
Canvas dimensions 129x95 cm, with frame 149x115 cm.
