Caricature of a Polish Count 1691 - 1758

Pier Leone Ghezzi, an Italian artist, created this ink drawing, "Caricature of a Polish Count." Ghezzi lived in a time of rigid social hierarchies, and his caricatures often poked fun at the aristocracy. This drawing is an example of how identity can be both performed and perceived, and the way class and nationality intertwine to shape one's persona. The count’s exaggerated features and clothing become symbols of his status and foreignness. The count's delicate stance and somewhat befuddled expression seem to hint at the emotional experience of being observed, judged, and perhaps misunderstood in a foreign land. "Caricature of a Polish Count," reflects the societal attitudes towards class and nationality in the 18th century, inviting us to reflect on the relationship between identity, representation, and social perception.