A Gentleman with a Walking Stick c. early 1750s

"A Gentleman with a Walking Stick" is a drawing by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi, created circa the early 1750s. This quick sketch captures the dynamic pose of a man in a detailed 18th century coat and breeches. The figure’s elegant stance and the loose, gestural lines of the drawing suggest a preparatory study for a larger composition. Piranesi is best known for his etchings of Roman ruins, but he also produced drawings and paintings of figures and landscapes. This drawing is an example of his skillful hand and his keen eye for detail.