Cavalier Drinking n.d.

Antonio Casanova y Estorach sketched "Cavalier Drinking" with pen and black ink sometime in the late 19th century. Casanova y Estorach was known for his genre scenes, often set in earlier historical periods. This drawing presents an intimate, if unflattering, portrait of a man indulging in drink and smoke. The cavalier, with his ruffled collar and wide-brimmed hat, is rendered with loose, expressive lines that capture a sense of momentary pleasure. Casanova y Estorach's choice to depict his subject in a state of relaxed indulgence challenges traditional heroic portrayals common in history painting. His gaze is heavy-lidded, his expression one of contentment, perhaps even excess. The sketch captures not an idealized figure, but a moment of human frailty and enjoyment. The Cavalier's pleasure, however fleeting, becomes a mirror reflecting our own complicated relationship with indulgence.