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 brown ink drawing by Giovanni Battista Piranesi presents two figures in a stark, undefined space. The composition is dominated by the figures and their staffs, rendered with energetic, broken lines that suggest movement and instability. Piranesi's use of line is particularly striking. The hatching creates volume, but the lines do not neatly contain the figures, instead spilling into the surrounding space. This technique destabilizes the conventional figure-ground relationship, challenging our sense of spatial order. Notice how this reflects Piranesi’s broader artistic project, one that often depicts the grandeur of Rome but also hints at its decay and the ambiguity of its historical narratives. The figures with their staffs may symbolize authority or guidance, yet their rough rendering and uncertain setting undermine any clear interpretation. The drawing remains open-ended, inviting us to question the fixed meanings and power structures. Art, here, becomes a site for exploring shifting perceptions.