Vincenzo Campi (1536 - 1591) - photo 1

Vincenzo Campi

Vincenzo Campi was a notable painter of the 16th century, widely recognized for his unique style that combined traditional subjects with everyday life. Campi's journey in the world of art was influenced by his family background, as he trained under his brother Giulio and was part of a family of Italian painters known for their contributions to Mannerist painting​​.

Vincenzo Campi's paintings stood out for their vivid depictions of market scenes and kitchen tableaux, focusing on everyday objects and food with an extraordinary level of realism. This approach was quite innovative for his time. His works like "Pescivendoli" (The Fishmongers, 1579) and "The Ricotta Eaters" (1580) are emblematic of his style, combining elements of still life and genre painting. In "The Ricotta Eaters," for instance, Campi artistically weaves together themes of food and sensuality, presenting a scene that is both a hymn to life and pleasure and a subtle commentary on social classes and morality​​​​.

Vincenzo Campi's paintings were not just mere representations of daily life; they often carried deeper social and cultural meanings. For instance, in his depiction of the lower working classes in "Fishmongers," he illustrated contemporary beliefs regarding food's appropriateness based on social hierarchy. The paintings of commoners consuming foods like beans, dark bread, and cheese, as shown in "The Ricotta Eaters," reflected the societal norms of the time regarding class and diet​​.

Vincenzo Campi's work did not only portray the peasants in a crude or humorous light, but also carried a sophisticated blend of comedy and criticism, reflecting a deeper understanding of the human condition and social structures of his time.

Campi's style and themes influenced other artists in Cremona and contributed to the development of genre painting in northern Italy. His work, in some ways, served as a precursor to Caravaggio’s realism that emerged in the subsequent decade​​.

For collectors and connoisseurs of art and antiques, Vincenzo Campi's paintings offer a unique window into the societal and cultural aspects of 16th-century Italy, blending everyday life with deeper social commentaries. His work continues to be an important part of the conversation in the history of art.

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Date and place of birt:1536, Cremona, Italy
Date and place of death:3 october 1591, Cremona, Italy
Period of activity: XVI century
Specialization:Artist, Genre painter, Painter
Art school / group:Italian school
Genre:Genre art, Religious genre
Art style:Mannerism, Old Masters

Creators Mannerism

Pietro Ricchi (1606 - 1675)
Pietro Ricchi
1606 - 1675
Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585 - 1653)
Giovanni Francesco Susini
1585 - 1653
Jacopo Confortini (1602 - 1672)
Jacopo Confortini
1602 - 1672
Peter van Boucle (1610 - 1673)
Peter van Boucle
1610 - 1673
Andrea Lilli (1560 - 1635)
Andrea Lilli
1560 - 1635
Simon de Vos (1603 - 1676)
Simon de Vos
1603 - 1676
Antoine Le Nain (1588 - 1648)
Antoine Le Nain
1588 - 1648
Adriaen de Vries (1545 - 1626)
Adriaen de Vries
1545 - 1626
Szymon Buchbinder (1853 - 1922)
Szymon Buchbinder
1853 - 1922
Angelo Caroselli (1585 - 1652)
Angelo Caroselli
1585 - 1652
Lorenzo Costa II (1537 - 1583)
Lorenzo Costa II
1537 - 1583
Giovanni Paolo Pannini (1691 - 1765)
Giovanni Paolo Pannini
1691 - 1765
Annibale Carracci (1560 - 1609)
Annibale Carracci
1560 - 1609
Jan Harmensz. Muller (1571 - 1628)
Jan Harmensz. Muller
1571 - 1628
Franz Werner von Tamm (1658 - 1724)
Franz Werner von Tamm
1658 - 1724
Nicolas Poussin (1594 - 1665)
Nicolas Poussin
1594 - 1665