Standing Male Nude (recto); Two Half Length Male Figures, One with Raised Arm, the Other Praying (verso) n.d.

Domenico Fiasella created this drawing, "Standing Male Nude," using pen and brown ink with brown wash on paper. The composition is dominated by the sketched figure of a man, standing with one arm raised. The linearity of the drawing is striking; the artist uses delicate lines to define the contours of the body, emphasizing form and musculature. Note the use of hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variations, giving volume to the figure and creating a sense of depth. The brown wash is applied selectively to deepen shadows and accentuate certain areas, such as the torso and legs. The sketch embodies the Baroque interest in dynamism and movement. The figure's pose, though static, suggests potential energy, a characteristic often explored in Baroque art. The unfinished nature of the sketch offers insight into the artist's process, revealing the structural underpinnings of his artistic vision. It invites us to consider the interplay between line, form, and space and challenges our perception of fixed representation.