An elderly woman 

Pietro Lazzari's portrait of "An Elderly Woman" is rendered in stark black ink on a pale ground, creating a powerful study in contrasts. The composition's impact comes from its seemingly raw and spontaneous application of ink, which builds up to create depth. The forms appear almost skeletal, with hollowed eyes and a sunken mouth. This work challenges conventional portraiture by prioritizing expressive brushwork over representational accuracy. Lazzari's brushstrokes are bold and economical, reducing the figure to a network of lines and shapes. This abstraction invites us to question the boundary between representation and expression. The work may be seen as a semiotic exercise, where the signs of traditional portraiture are deconstructed and reassembled. The seemingly spontaneous marks and the stark contrast not only capture the physical attributes of aging but also evoke a sense of emotional vulnerability. This ink drawing serves as a visual interrogation into the codes of portraiture and representation. It leaves us with an uneasy yet contemplative view of aging and identity.