(Brescia, active 17th Century)
An Allegory of domestic disputes,
oil on canvas, 94.5 x 145 cm, framed

The present painting by the Master of the Fertility of the Egg shows a series of caricatured figures, animals and zoomorphic creatures, all taking part in what appears to be a fight. The humorous scene is placed in front of a black background, so as to enable its non-linear narrative to be seen on different compositional planes. Taking up most of the central middle ground is a large wicker basket in which a dwarf sits, nestled in amongst hatched eggs. The baskets and pots throughout the composition act as a compositional counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of the animated scene by creating a sense of symmetry.

A clue to decoding the meaning of the painting is given by the female figure in the upper right corner, holding a banner that bears the inscription ‘canzoneta curiosa’. The lyrical text, written in Lombardo-Venetian dialect, presents domestic disputes and contrasting opinions between husbands and wives in a playful, jovial manner.

The works of the Master of the Fertility of the Egg are characterised by a variety of figures engaging in disorganised actions and reactions alluding to metaphorical meanings – possibly to the ridiculousness and vanity of human existence. This, at present, anonymous seventeenth century painter was active in the area around Brescia and his works relates to those of Faustino Bocchi (1659–1742). The artist is now conventionally identified as ‘The Master of the Fertility of the Egg’ after the subject of one of his paintings conserved in the Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin.