Artwork
Man with a Fur Cap
Man with a Fur Cap is a drawing by the Baroque artist Giovanni Battista Piazzetta. It dates from 1740 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Battista Piazzetta’s drawing entitled *Man with a Fur Cap* dates from 1740 and is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Executed in charcoal or a similar medium, the work presents a solitary figure in a dark coat and a low‑set fur hat, rendered with a focus on light and shadow that gives the portrait a palpable sense of volume.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears as a middle‑aged man, his face partially illuminated, revealing deep shadows beneath the eyes and along the jawline. One hand rests lightly on his chest, fingers loosely curled, while the other grasps a folded piece of cloth or paper, suggesting a moment of contemplation or private correspondence.
Technique & Style
Piazzetta employs broad, smudged strokes to model the figure, emphasizing chiaroscuro to create a three‑dimensional effect. The contrast between the bright highlights on the forehead and the enveloping darkness of the coat and hat demonstrates the artist’s skill in manipulating tonal values to suggest form without relying on line work.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑18th century, the drawing entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, though specific details of its prior ownership remain limited. Its presence in the museum’s collection reflects the institution’s interest in Italian Baroque drawing practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Battista Piazzetta (also called Giambattista Piazzetta or Giambattista Valentino Piazzetta) (February 13, 1682 or 1683 – April 28, 1754) was an Italian Rococo painter of religious subjects and genre scenes.
