Giacomo Ceruti (Il Pitocchetto) Paintings

Giacomo Ceruti, also known as 'Il Pitocchetto' due to his frequent depiction of the poor and the downtrodden, was an Italian painter of the Baroque period. Born in 1698 in Brescia, he was active mainly in Lombardy. Ceruti received his initial training from his father, who was a painter of frescoes. He later expanded his skills under the guidance of other artists, such as Angelo Maria Crivelli, who influenced his early style.

Ceruti is best known for his realistic portrayals of everyday life, especially his empathetic representations of peasants and beggars. This was quite unconventional at the time, as the popular subjects among his contemporaries were often religious, mythological, or of the elite class. His works are characterized by a subdued color palette and a keen attention to detail, which helped to enhance the humanity of his subjects.

Throughout the 1720s and 1730s, Ceruti developed his signature style, which stood in contrast to the ornate and idealized Baroque aesthetic that dominated the period. His choice to focus on lower-class subjects in a dignified manner was revolutionary and paved the way for later artists to explore similar themes of social realism.

Despite his focus on the less fortunate, Ceruti also painted portraits of the nobility and worked on religious commissions, which helped to sustain him financially. His works gained appreciation for their honesty and the skill with which he rendered textures and materials.

Ceruti's later years saw him continue to work prolifically, although his style did not evolve significantly during this period. He remained in Northern Italy for the majority of his career, where he enjoyed a steady stream of commissions. Giacomo Ceruti passed away in 1767, leaving behind a body of work that offers a unique window into the life of common people of the 18th century. His legacy is seen in the way he influenced genre painting and social realism in the centuries to follow.