Paupertas Voluntaria - Francesco Pozzi

An allegorical etching by Francesco Pozzi after Domenichino, depicting the figure of Voluntary Poverty with raised arms and discarded coins.

This engraving by Francesco Pozzi depicts the allegorical figure of Voluntary Poverty (Paupertas Voluntaria). The composition is based on a design by the Baroque painter Domenico Zampieri, known as Domenichino, specifically referencing his work within the tribuna of the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome. The figure is shown in a state of supplication, with arms raised and eyes turned upward, embodying a spiritual renunciation of material wealth.

At the base of the figure, a vessel lies overturned, spilling coins onto the ground. This detail serves as a clear visual signifier of the rejection of worldly riches. The artist employs precise hatching and cross-hatching techniques to model the form of the figure and the heavy folds of the drapery, creating a sense of volume and weight. The lighting is dramatic, casting deep shadows that define the contours of the body against a plain background.

Pozzi, a skilled printmaker active in Rome during the late eighteenth century, was frequently commissioned to reproduce the works of earlier masters. His technical approach reflects the disciplined training of the period, prioritising clarity of line and anatomical accuracy. The print captures the emotional intensity of the original fresco, translating the painterly qualities of Domenichino into the linear language of the copperplate. The inscription at the bottom identifies the subject, the original painter, and the printmaker, providing a clear provenance for the work within the context of Roman print culture. This piece offers a view into the historical practice of disseminating large-scale religious art through the medium of fine prints, allowing collectors and scholars to study the compositions of the Italian masters in a portable format.