Caricature of a Man Wearing a Wig and a Tricorne, Seen from Behind 1755 - 1765

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo sketched this caricature of a bewigged man wearing a tricorne, likely in the mid-18th century. The tricorne hat, a symbol of aristocracy and military rank, sits atop an elaborate wig, puffed and powdered, obscuring the figure’s features. Consider the historical weight of the wig, once a marker of status, now rendered absurd. The inflated wig and pointed hat echo the Commedia dell’Arte’s Pulcinella, a figure of foolishness and satire. We can recall similar mockeries of power, the grotesque visages in Bosch's paintings, or the exaggerated forms in Daumier's political cartoons. The intentional distortion, the turning of one’s back to the viewer—these gestures speak volumes. It is a study in the psychology of appearances, inviting us to question the roles we perform and the masks we wear. The past is never truly gone; it resurfaces in unexpected guises, prompting reflection and, perhaps, a touch of self-awareness.