#07721 Umberto Boccioni (1882-1916)

The drawing presents a close-up portrait of a man, rendered in stark black ink on a white background. The artist has employed thick, expressive lines to delineate the features, creating a sense of immediacy and intensity. Here we see a face dominated by large, wide eyes that convey an impression of anxiety or distress; their heavy lids and prominent pupils contribute to this feeling. A pronounced mustache and stubble cover the upper lip and cheeks respectively, adding to the overall rough texture of the depiction.
The man holds a cigarette between his fingers, positioned near his mouth, though not actively smoking it. This detail introduces an element of contemplation or perhaps resignation. The hair is styled in a short, swept-back fashion, with distinct sections indicated by the use of parallel lines.
Beneath the portrait, scrawled lettering appears to repeat a phrase – Cerrààà!!! – rendered in a frantic, almost desperate style. This inscription seems disconnected from the visual representation above, yet it adds another layer of meaning. It could be interpreted as an exclamation, a warning, or perhaps a cry of frustration. The signature “Bocconi” is placed near the lettering, identifying the artist.
The drawing’s aesthetic suggests a deliberate rejection of conventional portraiture. The exaggerated features and agitated inscription imply a psychological state rather than a straightforward likeness. Its possible that the work aims to capture a moment of internal turmoil or express a critical commentary on a specific individual or situation. The overall effect is one of raw emotion conveyed through a simplified, yet powerful visual language.