Head of a young soldier c. 1740

Giovanni Battista Piazzetta rendered Head of a young soldier in black chalk heightened with white chalk on brownish paper. Piazzetta lived during a time of significant social stratification, and his work often reflects the lives of everyday people. The softness of the chalk lends a gentle quality to the soldier's gaze, inviting us to consider his vulnerability. What does it mean to be a soldier, especially a young one? Piazzetta captures a certain androgyny, challenging conventional portrayals of masculinity in military figures. It is possible that Piazzetta is questioning the traditional glorification of war and its impact on the lives of young men? This portrait captures the complexities of identity, inviting us to reflect on the human cost of conflict and the emotional lives of those on the front lines.