Theme & Variations Decorative Plate #77 (Crying Face) 

This is "Theme & Variations Decorative Plate #77 (Crying Face)" by Piero Fornasetti, its date is unknown and the medium used to create it is also unknown. The dominant motif here is a face streaked with tears, a poignant symbol of sorrow. This iconography of weeping extends far back, echoing the Mater Dolorosa, the sorrowful Virgin Mary, whose tears represent profound grief and compassion. In antiquity, weeping figures adorned sarcophagi, embodying mourning and remembrance. Consider how these tears, whether shed in religious veneration or personal loss, resonate across time. The act of crying, a universal expression of pain, becomes a powerful symbol that engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level. It reminds us of our shared humanity and the inevitable suffering that marks the human experience. The image is not just a depiction of sadness, but a gateway to understanding how emotions are codified and passed down through art, continually shaping our perception of grief.