Giosto de Mestieri a chi va bene e a chi va male [graphic].
1698
Items
Details
Title
Giosto de Mestieri a chi va bene e a chi va male [graphic].
Published
[Bologna] : [Giuseppe Maria Mitelli?], [1698]
Description
1 print : engraving ; 44 x 58 cm
Associated name
Mitelli, Giuseppe Maria, 1634-1718, publisher.
Note
This is a PRELIMINARY RECORD. It may contain incorrect information. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.
Item Details
Call number
FAST ACC 271895 (flat)
Folger-specific note
From dealer's description: "Game board, etching mounted on card (410 x 527mm), image (320 x 440mm), divided into twenty squares showing different trades and their fortunes, each square marked for a different throw of the dice; title at head, signed' Mitellli in e fece 1698 Bologna'); game board with yellow and blue pattern paper surround; corners bumped, but in very good condition. Very rare Italian board game on Trades and Professions. The board is divided into twenty squares, each with the depiction of a particular trade or profession together with a pithy comment, and its rank in society according its profitability. In the headline the rules of the game are outlined. Play is with three dice, and depending on the throw of the dice, the player either wins money or loses it. Three of the same value are highly prized, and whoever throws three sixes is the winner of the pot. Whereas landing on the first 10 squares results in monetary gains, landing on the final eight means that the player has to pay. This is indicated by 't' for tira and 'p' for paga. All the professions depicted in the final sections are artistic ones, apparently a wry comment by Mitelli. The bookdeale is particularly despondent 'Ai e poe da rider'. The game gives a fascinating insight into the social hierarchy of trades within Bologna at the time. Notaries, lawyers, doctors and engineers were respected by the upper class.University professors were highly regarded, presumably because of the important role of the universit in Bologna's culture and economy. But professions such as artisans and small merchants did not carry much weight in society. However, all professions, high and low, are depicted as respectable professions, an honest way for a Bolognese to earn his living in 1698. The only exception the joke about the card playing men. It is curious to see that the food related professions are grouped with the higher ranking professions - a clear indication that food was taken very seriously in Bologna, similar to today. Mitelli's satire, wit, and talent for caricature provides the modern-day viewer with a glimpse of life in Bologna at the end of the seventeenth century. The Italian artist Giuseppe Maria Mitelli (1634- 1718) is best known for his engravings. In addition to artistic engraving he also produced a large number of genre scenes, allegories, and engravings of contemporary trades. His imagery, much of it satirical or subversive was used for Tarot and playing cards, game boards etc. Ordered from Susanne Schulz-Falster, D9366, 2019-11-14, visit to FSL.
Folger accession
271895