Caricature of a Man in Profile Wearing a Tall Cap
Drawing on paper • Attributed to the Circle of Pier Leone Ghezzi or a follower of the Bolognese school (e.g., Gaetano Gandolfi)
Style & Movement
Late Baroque / Rococo Caricature
Medium & Technique
Iron gall or sepia ink on paper, executed with a quill or reed pen using rapid cross-hatching and expressive linework.
Creation Period
Mid to late 18th Century
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 15 x 12 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A profile study of a bearded man with exaggerated facial features, specifically a prominent nose and jutting chin. He wears a high, conical or 'Corno Ducale' style cap common in Venetian or theatrical contexts. The composition focuses on the psychological playfulness of the caricature genre.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Poor to Fair
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800 USD (due to significant structural damage)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; the fragment suggests it may have been removed from a sketchbook or an old master album collection.
Art Historical Significance
The work reflects the 18th-century obsession with physiognomy and caricature, a genre popularized by artists like Ghezzi and the Tiepolo family. It serves as an example of a 'testa di carattere' (character head) used for studio practice.
Notable Features
The rhythmic, energetic hatching in the man's hair and clothing suggests a confident, trained hand. The cap's lattice-patterned brim is a specific detail often found in Commedia dell'arte sketches.
Condition Issues
Severe diagonal tear extending across the top third of the sheet, paper loss at the upper right corner, foxing, toning/discoloration, and edge fraying.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional paper stabilization is required, including mending the tear with Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste. Deacidification and archival hinging in a UV-protected frame are recommended.