The artwork, titled “Pietro Mascagni,” was crafted by Enrico Caruso in 1917. This piece, executed using paper and ink, belongs to the genres of caricature and portrait.
The composition of the artwork depicts a stark and expressive caricature of an individual, presumably the subject, Pietro Mascagni. The artist employs bold, fluid lines and varying ink tones to accentuate the subject’s distinct facial features. The hair is rendered with an energetic, almost chaotic, arrangement of dark ink strokes, contrasting with the more controlled and defined lines of the face. The eyes, deeply set and emphasized with intricate shading, convey a sense of sternness or contemplation. The mouth is drawn with downturned corners, further imparting a serious, perhaps even somber demeanor. The attire, minimally but effectively suggested through broad strokes, hints at formality. The simplicity and directness of the lines capture the essence of caricature while simultaneously respecting the art of portraiture.
