Title: The Beaneater (Mangiafagioli)
Artist: Annibale Caracci
Date Painted: 1580-1590
Period: Baroque
Dimensions: 57cm x 68cm
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Location: Galleria Colonna, Rome
Summary
“The Beaneater” (Italian: “Mangiafagioli”) by Annibale Carracci is a celebrated painting from the Italian Baroque period, created between 1580 and 1590, likely around 1583-1584. It is currently housed in the Galleria Colonna in Rome. This naturalistic genre painting depicts a man enjoying a simple meal of beans, onions, bread, and wine, a scene reflective of everyday life in Italy during the 16th century. The artwork stands out for its candid and honest portrayal of a peasant immersed in the act of eating, deviating from the idealized and polished finishes often preferred in fine art of that era.
Carracci’s use of broken brushwork contributes to the painting’s rustic feel, emphasizing the straightforward and unembellished subject matter. The painting captures the man in a moment of ordinary life, with his attention fully engaged in his meal, illustrating Carracci’s skill in rendering the textures of the food and the realism of the scene. “The Beaneater” is notable for its focus on a subject matter that was not traditionally considered worthy of artistic representation, marking a significant departure towards realism and the depiction of common life, themes that would gain more prominence in later periods of art history .