Plate 17: Marcolfa shows Cacasenno a horse, from "Bertoldo, Bertoldino, and Cacasenno" 1705 - 1715

Giuseppe Maria Crespi created this print, "Plate 17: Marcolfa shows Cacasenno a horse, from 'Bertoldo, Bertoldino, and Cacasenno'," sometime in the late 17th to early 18th century. Crespi was an important figure in the Bolognese School of painting, a time when art was deeply intertwined with social commentary. In this etching, we see Marcolfa, a woman of the working class, introducing Cacasenno to a horse. The figures are rendered with a certain earthy realism, typical of Crespi's style. The inscription suggests a moment of instruction or perhaps humor, as Cacasenno seems both frightened and intrigued by the animal. Crespi often depicted scenes of everyday life, and his work gives us a glimpse into the roles and interactions of different social classes. Consider how the artist uses the figures of Marcolfa and Cacasenno to explore themes of naiveté, education, and the human relationship to the natural world. The print not only captures a simple interaction, but also hints at the broader social dynamics of the time.