Giacomo Ceruti, called il Pitocchetto (active Lombardy 1724-1757) An elderly bearded peasant man resting his chin in his hand 54.7 x 43 cm. (21½ x 17 in.)
Giacomo Ceruti, called il Pitocchetto (active Lombardy 1724-1757)
An elderly bearded peasant man resting his chin in his hand oil on canvas 54.7 x 43 cm. (21½ x 17 in.)
Footnotes
PROVENANCE: Anonymous sale, Phillips, London, 11th December 1990, lot 84, withdrawn at the owner's request
The present composition reflects Ceruti's interest in the theme of poverty. In this he was typical of a group of artists working in Bergamo and Brescia in the early eighteenth century who observed reality. Ceruti was paricularly distinguioshed for his depictions of beggars and vagabonds (pitocchi), hence his nickname, il Pitocchetto. The tradition of representing low-life subjects can be traced back to the etchings of Jacques Callot, on which some of Ceruti's works were directly based, but the genre was given particular impetus by the artist's noble Brescian patrons, who showed some sensitivity to social problems, especially poverty. The interest in this subject matter became subsequently of more widespread appeal to the most fashionable of connoisseurs, as was testified by the payments Ceruti received in 1736 from Johann Mathias, Graf von der Schulenburg, Marshal of the Venetian Republic, for a series of beggars, including the Three Beggars, now in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid.
This sale is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future sales, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this sale, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories excluding Wine, Coins & Medals and Motor Cars and Motorcycles: A successful bidder at this sale will be required to pay Bonhams 1793 Limited ("Bonhams") a premium calculated as follows:
25% on the first £50,000 of the Hammer Price 20% from £50,001 to £1,000,000 the Hammer Price 12% from £1,000,001 of the Hammer Price
VAT at 20% will be payable on the amount of the premium.
The premium is payable for the services to be provided by Bonhams in the Buyer's Agreement which is contained in the catalog for this Sale and for the opportunity to bid for the Lot at the Sale.
Payment Notices
Payment in advance: by cash, check with banker's card, credit card, bank draft or traveler's cheque.
Payment at collection: by credit or debit card.
Credit card charges: a surcharge of 2% is applicable when using Mastercard, Visa and overseas debit cards.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
