Nicola Zabaglia, pl. XVII from "Recueil de caricatures" 1749 - 1759

Ange-Laurent de La Live de Jully created this print titled "Nicola Zabaglia, pl. XVII from "Recueil de caricatures"", now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, using etching techniques. The image presents a full-length caricature of a man in profile, rendered with delicate lines against a stippled background. The subject's exaggerated features and posture immediately suggest a sense of satire, inviting us to consider the artwork's critical intent. The artist uses line and form to destabilize traditional portraiture, challenging viewers to reconsider established notions of beauty and representation. The very nature of caricature relies on distorting and exaggerating features. It prompts a deeper reflection on the values and categories we impose on the human form. The subject's clothing and accessories, rendered with meticulous detail, contribute to a semiotic system of signs that invite us to interpret the individual within their cultural context. This manipulation of form is not merely aesthetic, but also a commentary on the social and philosophical norms of the time, reflecting a broader discourse on power, perception, and representation.