A warrior facing left wearing a plumed hat and holding a cane, from the series 'Figurine' 1651 - 1662

Salvator Rosa made this etching, “A warrior facing left wearing a plumed hat and holding a cane” as part of his 'Figurine' series. Rosa, working in 17th century Italy, lived in a society steeped in rigid class structures. This work is a fascinating meditation on the representation of the military figure. This print invites us to consider the theatricality of power. The figure's elaborate plumed hat and the affected pose, with a hand gesturing as if on stage, suggest a performance of masculinity and authority. But there's also a vulnerability here, a sense of the fragility of these constructed identities. The series, in its entirety, is a playful yet incisive commentary on the stereotypes and roles men play in society. Rosa encourages us to question the nature of identity. This piece remains strikingly relevant in our contemporary moment. How do we perform our identities, and what are the social expectations that shape those performances?