Artwork
Monsieur Ition Chirurgo del sre. Duca di Nivers
Monsieur Ition Chirurgo del sre. Duca di Nivers is a drawing by the Baroque artist Pier Leone Ghezzi. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Monsieur Ition Chirurgo del sre.
- Accession no.
- 1995.52
- Credit line
- John L. Severance Fund
About this work
Overview
Monsieur Ition Chirurgo del sre. Duca di Nivers is a 1749 drawing by Italian Rococo artist Pier Leone Ghezzi, characterized by its minimalist yet detailed portrayal of a seated figure in 18th-century attire.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts Monsieur Ition, a surgeon to the Duke of Nivers, in a contemplative pose, conveying a sense of quiet seriousness through his averted gaze and relaxed yet formal demeanor.
Technique & Style
Ghezzi employed sharp, expressive lines to render the intricate folds of the subject's clothing and the texture of his wig, set against a plain, textured background that emphasizes the figure.
History & Provenance
Created in 1749, the work is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, exemplifying Ghezzi's Rococo style and his penchant for capturing sitters with economical yet revealing lines.
Context
While stylistically akin to Baroque's attention to detail, the drawing aligns more closely with the Rococo's lighter, more intimate approach to portraiture, characteristic of Ghezzi's Roman artistic circle.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pier Leone Ghezzi (28 June 1674 – 6 March 1755) was an Italian Rococo painter, draughtsman, printmaker and caricaturist who was mainly active in Rome.
