Reverse Copy of L'Homme vu de Dos, La Main Droit Tendue (Man Viewed from Behind, His Right Hand Extended), from "Les Caprices" Series A, The Florence Set 1620 - 1700

This print at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a reverse copy of "Man Viewed from Behind, His Right Hand Extended," from "Les Caprices". Notice the stark contrast between the figure on the left, rendered with delicate outlines, and the one on the right, defined by dense, parallel lines. This shift in technique doesn't just depict form; it embodies a change in perception. The left figure, almost spectral, represents a foundational sketch, while the right one is a study in depth and solidity. The etching employs line work to explore dualities: presence versus absence, the sketch versus the finished form. This work challenges the idea of a singular, definitive image. The artist uses the very structure of the print—its lines and composition—to question how we perceive and understand the world through representation. It serves as a commentary on the nature of imitation and the endless possibilities of interpretation.