Two Men Holding Long Staffs (recto); Proof impression of part of an etching, and scribbles in the artist's hand (verso) 1720 - 1778

This pen and ink drawing, created between 1720 and 1778 by the renowned Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi, depicts two men holding long staffs. The piece, likely a study for a larger work, is characterized by Piranesi’s signature style of bold, gestural lines and dramatic chiaroscuro. The figures are rendered with a sense of dynamism and energy, showcasing Piranesi's fascination with the human form. This small-scale work, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, exemplifies Piranesi's prolific output as a draftsman.