Artwork

Caricature with Mola Protecting Himself from a Man Holding a Viper

Caricature with Mola Protecting Himself from a Man Holding a Viper is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Pier Francesco Mola. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:by later hand, lower left in brown ink: C. Marata

About this work

Overview

Caricature with Mola Protecting Himself from a Man Holding a Viper is a 1639 drawing by Pier Francesco Mola, created with pen and brown ink on laid paper. It showcases the artist's loose technique and naturalistic style, characteristic of his work.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a satirical scene where the artist, with curly hair, appears to defend himself from a man holding a coiled snake. The scene blends caricature with personal expression, suggesting a narrative or emotional context.

Technique & Style

The artist employed cross-hatching, a technique involving crisscrossed lines, to build up shadows and create texture and depth. The loose and quick lines convey a sense of spontaneity, underscoring Mola's distinctive style, which diverged from the dominant theoretical approach of his time.