(Flemish, active in the first half of the 17th century)
Vagrants eating pasta being robbed by a boy, oil on canvas, 101,5 x 159,5 cm, framed

We are grateful to Professor Nicola Spinosa, Naples, who has identified this painting as the work of a Flemish painter working in Naples as part of the circle around Caravaggio. He has attributed it to the Master of Sarasota (personal communication, July 2010). Aside from the Caravaggists of Naples who are known by name, more recently a group of painters probably originating from Flanders has been identified as having worked in the circle of Carracciolo. Their works have frequently been attributed in the past to the Master. Based on the current locations of their key works, which interestingly, like the Supper at Emmaus, often display a similar iconography, the two masters, whose styles are very close to our painting, are known as the ‘Master of Resina’ and the ‘Master of the Pau Supper at Emmaus’. The remaining, as yet unidentified, artist of our canvas is named after his ‘Supper’ which at present is located in Florida. The exhibition catalogue by Ferdinando Bologna, who first turned his attention to Battistello Carraciolo in 1991, also features some works by our mysterious master.