Artwork
Fà ballar i Cani (Street Entertainer)
Fà ballar i Cani (Street Entertainer) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Gaetano Zompini. It dates from 1753 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:across bottom in plate: Mi la stico col far balar sti cani, / E farghe far dei zioghi a che li ho usai / Che in ste cosse è curiosi i Veneziani.; lower right in plate: 54
About this work
Overview
Fà ballar i Cani (Street Entertainer) is an engraving and etching on laid paper by Gaetano Zompini, dated to 1753. The print depicts a nocturnal scene of street performers gathered under a lamppost.
Subject & Meaning
The scene showcases four street entertainers: a guitarist, a violinist, a loud singer, and a boy collecting tips in a hat. The composition highlights the everyday life and livelihoods of itinerant performers in urban settings.
Technique & Style
Zompini employed engraving and etching techniques to achieve expressive lines, effectively capturing light and shadow. This lends a sense of dynamism and liveliness to the nighttime scene, with the lamppost's glow implied through hatching and shading.
History & Provenance
Created in 1753, specific provenance details for this particular print are not provided. It is attributed to Gaetano Zompini, situating it within 18th-century European printmaking traditions.
Context
The work reflects the cultural landscape of mid-18th-century Europe, where street performers were a common sight. The Italian text accompanying the image suggests its intended audience may have been familiar with such scenes and possibly Italian-speaking.
Own this work as a print
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