Portrait of Gennaro de Scà

Drawing analysis
In this pen-and-ink drawing, the artist presents a profile study of a man characterized by exaggerated, almost caricatured anatomical features. The subject is depicted in right profile, facing towards the right edge of the frame. The most striking element of the figure is the prominent, hooked nose and a slightly protruding chin, which, combined with a somewhat heavy jawline, suggests a satirical or grotesque intent rather than a purely formal portraiture.
The man is dressed in attire typical of the late 17th or early 18th century. He wears a long-skirted coat (justacorps) with visible buttons and large cuffs, layered over what appears to be a waistcoat. His breeches meet stockings that extend down to simple, flat-soled shoes. The artist uses fine, rhythmic hatching and cross-hatching to define the folds of the heavy fabric, creating a sense of volume and weight in the clothing.
The subject’s posture is somewhat stiff; he holds a large, rectangular object – likely a book or a portfolio – tucked under his left arm, while his right hand rests near the center of his torso. This positioning, along with the inclusion of the book, suggests a person of some intellectual or professional standing, perhaps a scholar, clerk, or lawyer.
The subtext of the work appears to lie in the tension between the formal dignity of the costume and the unflattering, exaggerated physiognomy. By applying the sophisticated technique of classical hatching to a distorted face, the artist engages in a form of social commentary. The drawing captures a moment where the outward markers of status – the structured clothing and the scholarly attribute – are undermined by the mockery of the subjects physical traits. This creates a biting wit, common in the tradition of satirical character studies, where the sitters perceived character is reflected through their exaggerated physical flaws.