The Bean Eater (Mangiafagioli)

A still life painting from the 16th century Italy by Annibale Carracci depicts a common labourer eating his meal. The subject of the art is not derived from historical anecdote or biblical events, but rather a very normal, simple daily observation. It was not likely for Baroque artists to address the lives of poor and impoverished. Here, a man is seen in his coarse shirt, vest and a straw hat hastily eating some beans with a wooden spoon out of a large bowl. His upper body is slightly bend forward and his mouth already open to munch on the beans. His table evidently does not include rich delicacies but instead simple food items like a glass of wine, a pie, onion and his hands reaching out for some bread. The artwork looks very earthy thanks to the choice of colours by artist to bring the focus of a viewer on the mundane lifestyle of a common young peasant. The inspiration for this genre style painting for Annibale seems to have come from the works of Vincenzo Campi’s ‘The Fishmonger’. One of the fascinating features of Carracci’s this painting is the deeply embedded realism showcased through the minute details like dirt under the fingernails and the rugged, rough brushstrokes.