Broodverkoper 1660

"Broodverkoper," an etching by Italian artist Giuseppe Maria Mitelli, depicts a hunchbacked figure carrying a basket of bread on his back. The etching, completed in 1660, is a striking example of Mitelli's talent for capturing the everyday lives of ordinary people. The detailed depiction of the man's clothing, the basket, and the jug he carries emphasizes the realism of the scene. The etching's inscription suggests that the subject is a bread seller, adding to the social commentary present in the artwork. "Broodverkoper" exemplifies the etching style popular in the 17th century and can be found in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands.