Lot 149: GIUSEPPE GAMBARINI BOLOGNA 1680 - 1725

THE PROPERTY OF ROBILANT + VOENA

A MUSICAL SCENE WITH PEASANTS MERRYMAKING

measurements note
77 by 102 in.; 104 by 129 cm.

oil on canvas

PROVENANCE

Private collection, England, from whom purchased by Robilant + Voena.

EXHIBITED

New York, Dickinson Roundell, Bologna and Ferrara: Two Centuries of Emilian Painting, October, 1999.

LITERATURE

E. di Robilant, E. Testori, M. Voena, (ed.), Bologna and Ferrara: Two Centuries of Emilian Painting, exhibition catalogue, New York 1999, p. 66, reproduced p. 66.

NOTE

Perhaps Gambarini's own humble origins prompted him to explore the pictorial potential of scenes of Bolognese daily life. Even though he received a number of commissions for biblical or mythological subjects, Gambarini derived the greatest pleasure from depicting genre scenes, such as the present picture, often including his own family members among the figures.

In this picture, a group or family of peasants are enjoying some evening entertainment out of doors. The two women, who are cast in the sharpest light, appear to be performing for the group, and engage the viewer with their direct gazes. The male protagonists as well are acutely portrayed; in particular, the young boy on the left is shown in a dream-like state, and the viewer cannot be certain whether his longing gaze is directed towards the woman playing the tambourine, or if his reverie relates to something or someone entirely outside the picture frame.