#03081 Ercole Pignatelli

The drawing presents a figure in profound distress, rendered with stark contrasts and dense cross-hatching that dominates the visual field. The subjects face is partially obscured by one hand pressed against the eyes, creating a sense of deliberate blindness or an attempt to shut out overwhelming stimuli. This gesture immediately establishes a mood of anguish and introspection.
The artist employed a highly stylized approach; features are distorted and exaggerated, contributing to the overall feeling of emotional intensity. The mouth appears stretched into a grimace, further emphasizing the figure’s suffering. A pronounced brow ridge and heavy eyelids amplify this sense of burden.
Surrounding the head is an elaborate arrangement of floral motifs – blossoms and foliage intertwine with what appear to be ribbons or fabric. These organic elements contrast sharply with the angularity of the face and hands, creating a visual tension between nature’s beauty and human suffering. The flowers might symbolize lost innocence, fleeting joy, or perhaps even a desperate clinging to hope amidst despair.
The figures neck is elongated and slender, leading down to a torso that appears somewhat disproportionate in relation to the head. This distortion contributes to the unsettling quality of the work, preventing any sense of naturalism. The cross-hatching technique used throughout the drawing creates a palpable texture, adding depth and weight to the composition.
The signature and date – 14.9.48 – are positioned in the upper right corner, providing a temporal anchor for the artwork. The overall effect is one of psychological turmoil, suggesting themes of loss, regret, or an overwhelming sense of existential dread. The deliberate obscuring of the face invites viewers to project their own interpretations onto the figure’s experience, making it a deeply personal and resonant image.