Artist: Michelangelo da Caravaggio (Italian, 1571-1610). Best known for his dramatic effects of light and dark in his paintings.
Engraver: Benoît Audran II (French, 1698-1772), engraver and publisher, son of Jean Audran.
Title: Bohëmienne disant la bonne avanture (Bohemian woman telling fortunes).
Titled, Dated, and Signed in plate: Bohëmienne disant la bonne avanture. Tableau de Michel-Ange Merigi, dit le Caravage, qui est dans le Cabinet du Roy / Peint sur toile, haut de 2 pieds 8 pouces, large de 4 pieds 9 pouces, gravé par Benoist Audran. [numbered on plate, lower right] '93'.
Dimensions: Platemark 10" x 12 1/8". Sheet 21 1/4" x 16".
Edition: Joseph Antoine de Crozat, Marquis de Tugny. Recueil d'Estampes d'après les plus beaux Tableaux et d'après les plus beaux Desseins qui sont en France dans le Cabinet du Roy, dans celuy de Monseigneur le Duc d'Orléans, & dans d'autres Cabinets, Tome Second. Paris, 1742.
Materials and Techniques: Etching and engraving on laid paper.
Provenance: The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965-2000.
Watermark: yes.
Condition: The left edge has cuts and holes from a binding cord. Wear to edges. Clean, bright impression. The signs of aging are appropriate for the time. A detailed condition report is available on demand.
Part of: [Known as the Cabinet de Crozat or Recueil de Crozat, Volume 2, No. 93].
Date: 1742.
Museums and Libraries: The British Museum 1855,0609.175.
Art Movements, Periods & Schools: French School XVIII C. Italian School XVI C.
Notes:
- Bellori says that Caravaggio called a gypsy woman from the street to an inn and painted her telling fortunes. Close inspection of the painting reveals what the young man has failed to notice: the girl is removing his ring as she gently strokes his hand.
- This entry incorporates text from Wikipedia and the catalog entry of a similar item from the British Museum collection.