Francesco Sforza, Hurdy-Gurdy Player, Caricature of Two Men’s Heads, Caricature of Two Old Women with a Salami 1530 - 1561

These are four individual drawings rendered in pen and brown ink by Battista Franco, an Italian artist active in the 16th century. The drawings, portraits and caricatures, provide a window into Renaissance society, mirroring its fascination with the human form, social status, and satire. Franco was a contemporary of Michelangelo, and, like many artists of his era, he navigated the complexities of patronage, reputation, and self-expression. What we see here is a series of character studies; each drawing seems to capture a different facet of human nature and social identity. The caricatures, in particular, offer a critical commentary on the vanity and affectations of the upper class. Franco uses satire to question social hierarchies. The drawings leave us to consider what Franco sought to express through these images. Were they mere exercises in skill, or did they serve as a form of social commentary? The convergence of portraiture and caricature suggests an exploration of identity, inviting us to reflect on the contradictions inherent in the human experience.