Both was a member of the Bamboccianti, a group of painters in Rome known for small works depicting the lower classes. He avoided the idealised figures of the high Renaissance. Instead, he painted the reality of the streets, including peasant brawls like "Drunken Quarrel" and scenes of beggars. His figures possess a heavy, physical presence. He used a palette of earthy tones to describe the dust and wear of daily life. This approach made him a sought-after collaborator for painters who needed credible inhabitants for their scenes.

Collectors today value Both for his unvarnished view of the past. His drawings and paintings provide a direct connection to the seventeenth-century working class. These works do not attempt to moralise or preach to the viewer. They record the movements of pilgrims and the chaos of tavern fights. His art provides a sense of historical honesty for a modern home. It offers a narrative that is specific and human.