Man and Woman Striding Toward the Left 1500 - 1535

Giovanni Francesco Caroto created the drawing "Man and Woman Striding Toward the Left" with pen and ink, and wash on blue paper. The figures, draped in voluminous cloaks, embody both motion and emotion. The man, with outstretched hands, leans forward, while the woman peers intently in the same direction. Given Caroto’s location in Northern Italy, it is tempting to consider the ever-present impact of the Catholic Church at the time. The traditional representation of male authority and female acquiescence is challenged, as the woman appears to be looking or perhaps leading the way. Is the artist asking us to consider the societal expectations of gender roles? Consider how your own position might influence your interpretation of this shared journey. What do you feel as you imagine stepping into this scene?