Game of Civettino 

Lo Scheggia's "Game of Civettino" captures a scene of Florentine street life, with children engaged in a game of blind man's bluff amidst a backdrop of architectural structures. This seemingly simple game is steeped in symbolism, the blindfold— a motif echoing through time, from Cupid's blindness representing love's irrationality, to Fortune's obscured gaze signifying life's capriciousness. Here, it speaks to the vulnerabilities and uncertainties inherent in human interaction. Notice the raised hands, gestures of defense and anticipation, reminiscent of ancient pugilistic poses. The act of touching and reaching becomes a primal mode of communication, laden with potential for both connection and conflict. Consider how such gestures reappear in religious art, where the laying on of hands signifies blessing or healing— yet, here, it is reconfigured in a playful, secular context. The game evokes a subconscious understanding of risk, trust, and the precariousness of our sensory perceptions. It is a cycle, a recurring theme in the theater of human existence.