Roman Streetscene with a Young Artist

Michael Sweerts (in 1646 - 1648)

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Park asked

Hello there, I'm Park. In the middle of the painting, there is a tool(or machine?) that is operated by a man with a hat surrounded by a woman and a child. I am curious about the tool's name and use. Thank you!
Best Park
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Hi Park, Thank you for your question. I am not 100% sure, but I think the man is operating a grindstone. This was (and is) used for sharpening tools and knives. Kind regards, Els
jim grindstaff asked

hi there, jim here. I am researching a painting I suspect may be a Michael sweerts, it has a monogram of MCS. is it known if Sweerts signed with this monogram, or If he had a middle name... I have heard him being referred to as cavaliere sweerts. many thanks jim g
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Hi Jim, Sweerts almost never signed his work. There's a few known paintings that were signed in full, but I don't know of a work with a monogram, let alone with MCS. Maybe you could check the book by Rolf Kultzen (available in our library), that basically contains all we know about Sweerts. All the best, Friso Lammertse

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Mr ‘Suars’, as he was called in Italy, was one of the most adventurous artists of the 17th century. Having lived in several European countries, he ended up as a missionary and eventually died in Goa. In this Roman street scene a well-dressed draughtsman surrounded by ordinary folk is sketching a famous sculpture by Bernini. Anyone looking for the classical beauty of Rome should forget Sweerts.

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Specifications

Title	Roman Streetscene with a Young Artist
Material and technique	Oil on canvas
Object type	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Location	This object is in storage

Dimensions	Width 120 cm Height 85,5 cm
Artists	Painter: Michael Sweerts
Accession number	2358 (OK)
Credits	Purchased 1952
Department	Old Masters
Acquisition date	1952
Creation date	in 1646 - 1648
Internal exhibitions	The Collection Enriched (2011) Omkijken (2025)
Material	Canvas > Worked fibres > Fibre > Vegetable material > Organic material > Material > Material and technique Oil > Paint > Artist's material > Material > Material and technique
Object	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Geographical origin	Rome > Italy > Southern Europe > Europe