Caricature of Prince del Drago c. 1900

Carlo De Fornaro sketched this caricature of Prince del Drago, using ink on paper, to amplify and satirize his subject’s physical and social presence. Notice the exaggerated nose and beard, and the stark black and white contrast of his formal attire. Caricatures like this, which mock individuals by magnifying certain features, hearken back to ancient satirical traditions. Think of the grotesque masks worn in Roman theatre, intended to expose and ridicule human follies. The hat held low almost drags to the floor, the Prince’s social status is communicated with this gesture, perhaps meant to portray an almost subservient attitude. We find similar gestures throughout history, from medieval court portraits to modern political cartoons, where the bending of the body signifies deference or, conversely, mockery. Such images serve as a powerful reminder of how we use the human form to convey power, status, and social commentary, tapping into our collective memory and subconscious understanding of human interaction. This is a form of social critique that transcends time.