Artwork
Young Woman and a Boy Facing Right
Young Woman and a Boy Facing Right is an ink print by the Baroque artist Marco Alvise Pitteri. It dates from 1744 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Marco Alvise Pitteri’s 1744 engraving titled *Young Woman and a Boy Facing Right* presents a modestly sized print that captures a woman and a child in profile, both turned toward the right edge of the composition. The figures occupy the central space, set against an unadorned background that emphasizes their forms and gestures.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a young woman with her hair gathered back, dressed in a loosely draped garment, alongside a boy whose head is slightly turned away, one hand resting near his scalp. Their subdued expressions and intimate proximity suggest a domestic or familial scene, though no narrative details are provided, leaving the relationship between the figures open to interpretation.
Technique & Style
Pitteri employs the meticulous line work characteristic of 18th‑century engraving, using fine, cross‑hatched strokes to model the contours of hair, fabric, and flesh. The density of these lines creates subtle gradations of shadow, giving the figures a sense of volume and three‑dimensionality despite the flat paper surface.
History & Provenance
Created in 1744, the print reflects Pitteri’s activity within the Venetian printmaking tradition. While specific ownership records are scarce, the engraving has been catalogued among his known works and appears in collections that focus on mid‑century Italian prints, indicating its circulation among connoisseurs of the period.
Artist & collection
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