A man looking upwards to the right 

This is Giovanni Battista Piazzetta’s drawing of “A man looking upwards to the right”. Piazzetta was an Italian Rococo painter working in Venice in the early 18th century, a time of artistic innovation and social change. Notice the man's gaze is directed upwards, his mouth slightly open. His expression could be interpreted as one of wonder, contemplation, or perhaps even longing. Piazzetta often explored themes of spirituality and human emotion in his work, reflecting the religious and philosophical interests of his time. The open mouth is particularly interesting as it gives the figure a vulnerability. Drawings like this allowed artists to capture fleeting expressions and emotions, offering a glimpse into the inner lives of their subjects, while exploring new ways of representing the human form. Piazzetta challenges the traditional representations of men in art, presenting an alternative narrative that emphasizes introspection and vulnerability. This encourages us to consider the emotional complexity of individuals and the varied ways in which masculinity can be expressed.