The artwork entitled “Old Weeping (half length) by Guercino,” created by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, is a part of the Neoclassical art movement and falls under the genre of genre painting. It is part of the series “Collection of drawings engraved after Guercino.”
This poignant etching depicts an elderly man, characterized by a long beard and expressive features, shown in half-length view. His posture and expression convey a deep sense of sorrow and contemplation. He is seen holding his head in one hand, while the other hand is engaged in grasping or arranging a piece of cloth, possibly a handkerchief, which partly covers his face. The background, rendered in dense, cross-hatched strokes, features rugged terrain and vegetation, enhancing the somber atmosphere of the scene. The use of light and shadow effectively emphasizes the emotional intensity of the figure, highlighting the intricate details and textures brought to life by Piranesi’s masterful engraving technique.
