A Boy with a Lute c. 1740

Giovanni Battista Piazzetta's "A Boy with a Lute" (c. 1740) is a black chalk drawing that depicts a young boy holding a lute. Piazzetta was a prominent artist in the Venetian Republic known for his masterful use of chiaroscuro. The drawing demonstrates his keen eye for detail, with delicate shading conveying the boy's features and the texture of his clothing. This expressive portrait, likely a preparatory study for a larger work, highlights Piazzetta's ability to capture the essence of his subject.