Caricature of a Man Pointing 1610 - 1680

This is Gian Lorenzo Bernini's 'Caricature of a Man Pointing,' drawn with pen and brown ink on paper and held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The artwork presents a figure rendered with exaggerated features and a dynamic, if slightly off-kilter, posture. The dominant element is the bold outline, which exaggerates the man's nose and chin, creating a humorous effect. Bernini’s use of line—alternating between thick and thin strokes—gives the figure movement. The subject's gesture, along with his comical face, evokes a sense of theatre, typical of Bernini's baroque sensibilities. However, Bernini doesn't simply create a funny likeness. He uses caricature as a tool to explore the essence of character, pushing physical traits to reveal inner qualities. The drawing questions notions of ideal beauty, reflecting a broader cultural interest in exploring and challenging established norms through satire. Ultimately, the drawing underscores the artist's mastery of form and his ability to communicate complex ideas through simple, yet effective, lines.