Porträt eines jungen Aristokraten 

Andrea Celesti sketched this portrait of a young aristocrat, with pen and ink on paper, sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. The choice of materials is significant. Paper, made from processed plant fibers, was becoming increasingly available in Europe at this time. As a relatively inexpensive ground, it allowed for more widespread artistic experimentation. Pen and ink, similarly, enabled the creation of detailed, linear images with speed and precision. Look closely and you will see the artist's hand at work. Celesti deftly applied the ink, using varied pressure to create lines that range from delicate to bold. This allowed him to suggest form and texture with minimal effort. The sketch’s immediacy invites us to consider the social context in which it was made. Was this a preparatory study for a larger painting, or an artwork in its own right? What does this tell us about the changing status of drawing within artistic practice during this period? By considering these factors, we can gain a richer understanding of this intriguing work.