Ugolino 

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux created this etching, titled Ugolino, using a dense network of lines to convey a profound sense of despair and introspection. The composition centres on a male figure, his body hunched and contorted, enveloped in a swirling vortex of shadow. Carpeaux's use of line is particularly striking; it varies in weight and direction to model the figure's musculature and capture the emotional weight of the scene. The hatching technique creates areas of intense darkness that contrast sharply with the highlights, heightening the drama. This dramatic chiaroscuro not only emphasizes the figure's physical form but also reinforces the psychological tension, evoking an emotional response. The formal qualities of Ugolino resonate with the philosophical themes of existential angst prevalent in the 19th century. Carpeaux's expressive lines and dynamic composition challenge the viewer to confront profound questions about human existence, suffering, and the limits of reason.