The image of the Gypsies projected by Pieter van Laer, known as “il Bamboccio” (1599-1642), can be better understood if we understand the situation of the Roma who inhabited Italy. As early as the mid-16th century, their expulsion had become widespread throughout the country. The reasons given by the governor of the Papal States in 1552 for “scandal, disorder and robbery” may serve as a justification. Various projects of assimilation to “Christian” ways of life were attempted in various states, especially in Rome in 1631 because of the moral obligation that came with being the head of the Catholic world. As none of the attempts were successful, the custom of lumping them together with “idiots and vagabonds” became widespread. The Gypsies were expelled by legislation, persecuted as criminals by the various police forces and despised by society as a whole, but this does not mean that they had disappeared. As far as possible, they persisted in their ways of life and tried to remain unnoticed. They became part of the lower classes and a kind of osmosis generated by their miserable living conditions unified their outward appearance. Tattered shoes, worn or tattered clothes, lack of colour, utensils on their backs: they represent the spitting image of begging. One of the initiatives that were legislated from the beginning to achieve their social dissolution was thus achieved: the prohibition of identifying clothing. And probably an incipient sedentarisation was also achieved, which led them to inhabit the most humble places in the towns.

Collection: Images

Project: 4. Family, daily life and social inequality in Europe., 7. Persecuted by justice and powers: rebels, political dissidents and criminals in the history of Europe., 9. Travels and travelers: economic, social and cultural connections.

Chronology: XVII

Scope: University

Link: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1895-0915-1194

Resource type: Image

Format: Pen, brown ink and brown wash on blue paper, 282x431 mm

Source: Museo Británico (Londres)

Language: English

Date: 1613-1648

Owner: Blanca Rodríguez Hernández (Modernalia)

Identifier: 1895,0915.1194

Copyright: Museo Británico (Londres)

Abstract: Gypsies in Italy 17th century

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