On the second canvas we see a dark, rocky landscape in which robbers have held up a group of travellers. On the left some disreputable people are searching a gentleman and his wife, others are plundering a light chaise. In the background a coach is being robbed and from the right other robbers are hurrying to the scene. In the background too we see groups of robbers on both sides; their herd is gathered in the right corner near the skeleton of a horse.

The paintings (cat. nos 16 and 17) are masterly works, rich in various episodes, and can be attributed to Matteo de’ Pitocchi not least because of the echoes of Callot’s prints, which can always be sensed when we look at Pitocchi’s work. Of particular interest is the scenographic effect, which is almost theatrical; the backgrounds and the animation of some of the groups also bring to mind, beside their Venetian accents, the Roman bamboccianti. Two canvases very similar to ours (both measuring 37 x 87 cm) were sold in Rome (Christie’s, 22 March 1988, Auction No. 158) as works of the little known Ernest Deret. Our two paintings probably date from a not very late creative period of Matteo de’ Pitocchi.