Bertoldo Placing the Jailer in the Sack
1712
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1712
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Bertoldo Placing the Jailer in the Sack is a 1712 ink by Giuseppe Maria Crespi, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a man bent over, stuffing something heavy into a sack. His back is to us, and his arms are stretched awkwardly as he works. The sack looks full, and he’s holding a rope tied around it. The background is just a plain wall and floor, so the focus stays on his struggle. The text below is in Italian, hinting this might be a scene from a story or play. The artist used lines to show the man’s effort, making the movement feel real. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
