The Beggar
This painting, set in an earlier age, is typical of Glindoni’s work and interests. Before becoming a full-time artist, Glindoni worked in the theatre as a scenery painter, and supplemented his income by sketching the artists with whom he came in contact. Once a professional artist he specialised in elaborate and detailed costume genre scenes set in the 17th and 18th century, and all these influences and interests are evident in the costumes and poses in this work. Like many Victorians, Glindoni was also interested in the work of William Hogarth (1697-1764), the 18th century painter and satirist, whose strong narratives and moral tales appealed to the Victorians love of visual story-telling and rigid morality. This painting adopts Hogarth’s caricatures.
