Gypsy Woman

This begging Roma woman I am calling a gypsy, was so striking in her black outfit and lace, I had to go up to her and compliment her on her dress. In my broken Italian I said something like vestito bellissimo (beautiful outfit). She looked at me kind of puzzled. And I looked at her as if we shared an inside joke – we both knew this was a con – but I gave her a few euros anyway.

I understand the term “gypsy” is almost as derogatory a term the Italians use for these beggars and pick-pockets - zingari (mosquitoes). I made this image at a distance of about 35 meters away. If you enlarge this image you will see this woman’s eyes are trained on me. Cons and thieves are the most attentive people you will meet.

Nice work, Wayne.This has the feeling of an illustration from a children's' storybook. The contrast between the contemporary scene and the old woman who seems to have walked out of the pages of an earlier era is delicious, though the cardboard cup in her hand implies that she has at least a nodding acquaintance with the modern world

Thanks, Jack. I processed to accentuate the gypsy woman and minimize other elements.

Wonderful creative work, with great painting effect. Take care,..............Patsy

Thanks, Patsy. It was interesting interacting with this woman. She was younger than she appears with a twinkle or cunning in her eyes.