Seated Boy, Genoa c. 1950s

Curator: Peter De Francia's "Seated Boy, Genoa" is a charcoal drawing held in the Tate collections. It presents a child lost in thought. Editor: It's incredibly stark. The boy's face is obscured in shadow, and the charcoal feels rough, almost like a raw nerve laid bare. Curator: De Francia was deeply engaged with social realism, often depicting working-class figures and scenes of urban life with empathy. This drawing, even without a precise date, suggests his consistent focus. Editor: There's a palpable sense of vulnerability here. The boy's pose, the way he holds his hands to his face – it speaks of a deep introspection or perhaps anxiety. Curator: It's a powerful statement, achieved with remarkable economy. De Francia's image leaves us pondering the burdens carried by even the youngest among us. Editor: It definitely prompts a strong reaction. I felt it tugging at something within, a shared human experience of pensiveness and uncertainty.