Hermit and Woman from Frascati - Bartolomeo Pinelli

A detailed etching by Bartolomeo Pinelli depicting a hermit receiving a donation from a woman and child in Frascati.

Bartolomeo Pinelli, a Roman artist known for his documentation of local customs and regional dress, produced this etching as part of his broader study of Italian life. The scene depicts a hermit seated in a simple alcove, holding a collection box inscribed with the words 'Alle Anime del Purgatorio' (For the Souls in Purgatory). A woman from Frascati, accompanied by a young child, approaches to offer a donation.

Pinelli employs a clear, linear style characteristic of his graphic work. The composition relies on precise hatching to define the folds of the hermit's habit and the traditional attire of the woman. The figures are placed against a minimal background, which directs attention to the interaction between the mendicant and the donor. The child, clutching a small basket, adds a domestic element to the encounter.

This work belongs to a series of prints documenting the inhabitants of the Roman Campagna and surrounding towns. Pinelli was fascinated by the persistence of traditional roles and costumes in the early nineteenth century. His approach is observational, capturing the social dynamics of the period without excessive ornamentation. The etching reflects the artist's interest in the daily rituals of the Italian populace, providing a record of religious practices and regional identity. The clarity of the line work and the balanced arrangement of the figures demonstrate Pinelli's technical proficiency in the medium of etching. This print offers a glimpse into the social fabric of the Frascati region during the early nineteenth century, preserved through the artist's disciplined draughtsmanship.