School of Annibale Carraci: XVII century.

School of ANNIBALE CARRACCI (Bologna, 1560 - Rome, 1609), XVII century, "Grotesque characters".
Grotesque characters".
Oil on canvas.
It presents faults in the pictorial surface.
Measurements: 55 x 66 cm; 71 x 82 cm (frame).
In the 17th century, a remarkable tradition of satirical portraits developed, which played an essential role in the artistic, social and cultural fields. These portraits, often charged with irony, mockery or sharp moral criticism, were a powerful tool for commenting on human behavior, portraying the vices, weaknesses or hypocrisy of different sectors of society. Unlike the solemn or idealized portrait, which sought to exalt the portrayed, the satirical portrait inverted this logic: its objective was to expose the ridiculous, expose the grotesque or humorously denounce character flaws. These portraits not only reflect artistic mastery but also a cultural sensibility deeply linked to the social transformations of the time: the rise of an enlightened bourgeoisie, criticism of ecclesiastical or noble power, and the tension between the moral ideal and everyday reality. In short, the satirical portraits of the Flemish 17th century are an exemplary example of the way in which art could operate as a critical mirror of its time, using humor and visual acuity as forms of knowledge and social commentary.
At the beginning of the 17th century, at the same time that Caravaggio was breaking away from Mannerist and even Renaissance conventions, a new way of understanding painting, usually called "eclecticism", was emerging in Bologna under the guidance of Carracci. It sought to integrate the best of each master, especially Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Veronese and Correggio. However, Annibale Carracci's personality led him to evolve towards a very personal classicism, which did not disdain certain Caravaggiesque achievements.