Giuseppe Maria Mitelli

1634–1718, Bologna

The painter, draughtsman and printmaker, Giuseppe Maria Mitelli, was apprenticed to the cream of Bologna’s artists, being taught by no less than Guercino, Francesco Albani and Simone Cantarini. Nowadays Mitelli is best known for his etched genre scenes and caricatures, being regarded as one of the foremost representatives of moralising genre printmaking in 17th century Italy. His substantial printed oeuvre is distinguished by the originality of his invention and his biting satire.