Who painted A Caricature with Ball Players?

A Caricature with Ball Players was painted by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli in 1676.

Where can I see A Caricature with Ball Players?

A Caricature with Ball Players is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Caricature with Ball Players?

A Caricature with Ball Players is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

A Caricature with Ball Players

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli , 1676

A Caricature with Ball Players is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Giuseppe Maria Mitelli. It dates from 1676 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 14

About this work

Overview

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli’s drawing, titled A Caricature with Ball Players, was executed in 1676. Rendered with iron‑gall ink on laid paper and framed by black‑ink borders, the work presents a brief, humorous scene of two stout figures engaged with an oversized ball. The composition is concise, focusing on exaggerated bodily forms and a playful interaction.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a pair of caricatured men, each with pronounced noses and rotund bodies, confronting a large sphere.

The image depicts a pair of caricatured men, each with pronounced noses and rotund bodies, confronting a large sphere. The left figure, clad in a loose, patched garment and a wide‑brimmed hat, reaches outward, while the right, shirtless, grasps the ball with one hand and rests the other on his hip. The disproportionate size of the ball underscores a satirical tone, suggesting a commentary on clumsiness or folly.

Technique & Style

Mitelli employs swift, loose lines and bold outlines to define the figures, relying on simple geometric shapes to convey volume. The use of iron‑gall ink on laid paper allows for stark contrast, while the surrounding black‑ink borders frame the scene. The drawing’s exaggerated proportions and minimal detail align with Baroque-era caricature practices that emphasized drama through distortion.

History & Provenance

Created in the late seventeenth century, the drawing is part of Mitelli’s broader output of satirical prints and sketches. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among his surviving drawings, illustrating his engagement with popular visual humor of the period. It remains a representative example of his lesser‑known draughtsmanship.