Man and Woman from the Village of Paganica in the Province of L'Aquila in Upper Abruzzo

The work is from the Neapolitan series. An analogue of the "Lviv'' engraving is not found in Pinelli's available albums. However, we can confidently assume that it is included in the Neapolitan album dated 1816. The watercolor engraving by Alessandro d’Anna titled Costume del Paese di Paganica, Provincia dell’Aquila, Abruzzo Ultra served as a pre-image of Pinelli’s work; it was performed in the late 18th century. But in contrast to the work of the Neapolitan artist, which was saturated with many different colors, the engraving of the Roman master is more strict, more balanced in both color and composition. In the foreground, one can see young people, namely a man and a woman, each of them seeming to demonstrate their clothing. A woman is dressed in an elegant national costume of the Abruzzo region, but it isn’t not overloaded with colors. An important role is played by the geometric ornament on the dress, sleeves of the vest with cuffs, apron, and long skirt, under which red shoes with bows are seen. On her head there is a flattop headscarf; on her neck there are several strings of coral beads. The woman is holding a basket of bread covered with drapery, and looking to the right at a man, who, despite the more modest style of his clothes, is carrying himself with dignity. He is staying with a stick near a large boulder, while a young beauty is walking past it. The man is wearing a long blue camisole put over a red vest, short knee-length yellow trousers, white stockings, black shoes, and a black hat – the typical clothing of a gentleman in the Kingdom of Naples. The action is taking place in the background of green trees, behind which one of the peaks of the Apennines is seen in the distance. Paganica is a village (now a town) between the mountain ranges in the heart of the Apennines, near the provincial center of L'Aquila.

In the lower right corner there is the author’s signature Pinelli written in italics, date – 1816, and the place of performance – Roma (illegibly). In the center of the engraving under the image there is the work’s title Uomo, e Donna del Paese di Paganica, Provincia dell’Aquila, Abruzzo Ultra. There is a number "43" in the upper right corner above the plate.