Plate 15: Menghina leaving the garden with a basket filled with herbs and encountering Cacasenno, from "Bertoldo, Bertoldino, and Cacasenno" 1705 - 1715

Curator: Look at this engaging etching. It's called "Menghina leaving the garden with a basket filled with herbs and encountering Cacasenno." It’s by Giuseppe Maria Crespi and dates to somewhere between 1705 and 1715. Editor: The stark lines of the etching give it such a clear, immediate feel. The way the figures are posed, it almost feels like a stage. The tonal range may be narrow but effective at creating emphasis. Curator: It’s part of a series based on the popular folk tale of Bertoldo, Bertoldino, and Cacasenno. Crespi was very interested in portraying everyday life and the lives of the lower classes, so these characters from the comedic tradition were ripe subjects for him. Editor: Observe the composition itself. The towering figure of Menghina creates an imbalance, right? Especially against the much smaller Cacasenno. The diagonal line created from the lower left to the upper right corners of the etching reinforces her dominance within the space. Curator: The story itself revolves around Bertoldo, a clever peasant, and his family. The humor is very earthy, full of slapstick and social satire. It was very popular in Bologna, where Crespi was working. What’s fascinating to me is how Crespi uses these characters to reflect on the social realities of his time. Editor: Absolutely. Note the texture achieved with the fine lines creating volume on their dresses, and shadows that are cleverly rendered given the stark values. Her gaze averted to the side adds a great deal of nuance. The basket’s herbs, though spare, are also delightful. It does lend an immediacy, a slice-of-life aesthetic. Curator: He often worked with printmakers, disseminating his imagery more widely than if he had just relied on painting commissions. So he wasn’t just catering to wealthy patrons; he engaged with a much broader public through prints like this. He almost democratized artmaking this way. Editor: An insightful observation. While its subject may be considered humble, the etching exemplifies visual economy and clever arrangement. Curator: I appreciate how this seemingly simple print opens a window onto 18th-century Bolognese culture. Editor: Agreed. Its very construction adds layers to interpretation of that time.