Italian
As Long as One Has the Teeth in His Mouth, He Does Not Know What Touches Them [Fin che un ha i denti in bocca non sa cio che li tocca], 18th century
Etching with hand coloring on paper, 20 x 27.5 cm (7 7/8 x 10 13/16 in.)
This is a hand-colored horizontal etching depicting a group of five light-skinned men walking towards the steps of a stone building. The men are wearing brown hats, breeches, long white or green coats, white stockings, and brown shoes. The two men at the front and back of the procession carry guns. They are all walking to our right. The first man on the right is beginning to climb the steps. The second and third men have turned back to face the two men at the back of the line. Outside an archway to our left stand three light-skinned women, one of whom wears an open green coat and is reaching a hand through the archway towards the men.
Vatichino
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.