La Zingarella 1593 - 1615

Bartolomeo Schedoni painted 'La Zingarella' on canvas in Italy during the early 17th century. The work depicts a young woman, presumably a gypsy given the title, holding a baby. Images of the Madonna and child were common, but here, the figures take on a more earthly quality. How does this representation of the Madonna, influenced by the culture of its time, affect the work's social impact? Schedoni, employed by the Dukes of Parma, demonstrates a leaning away from the establishment in this work, a departure from the prevailing artistic trends. To better understand this, we can look at the artist's biography, learning more about the political and religious climate of the time. This helps us understand the social conditions that influenced Schedoni's artistic production. Understanding art means locating it within social and institutional contexts.