Plate 4: Boy with a lace collar holding a piece of fruit in his hands; from 'Icones ad vivum expressae' after Giovanni Battista Piazzetta

Art Historical Context

In the enchanting world of 18th Venetian art, *Plate 4: Boy a Lace Collar Holding a Piece of Fruit in Hands* from Giovanni Battista Piazzetta'sIcones ad vivumae* (1743) captures the innocence and charm of childhood. Etched by Giovanni Cattini after Piazzetta's original drawing this print showcases Piazzetta's mastery of Rococo portraiture, known for its lively, naturalistic depictions "ad vivum" or "from life." The boy, dressed in an elaborate lace collar evoking the opulence of Venetian nobility, gazes out with a gentle curiosity while cradling fruit—a symbol of youthful abundance and vitality. As an etching, the work's fine lines and tonal depth allowed for precise reproduction of Piazzetta's fluid draftsmanship, a technique that democratized access to his celebrated sketches during the height of Venice's printmaking tradition. Measuring a substantial 17½ × 13⅝ inches on the plate, it exemplifies the technical virtuosity of the era, blending portraiture's intimacy with print's scalability. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Eric W. and Madeleine C. Sorensen, 1994), this piece highlights the cultural fascination with children as subjects, reflecting Enlightenment ideals of naturalism and individuality in art. A delightful window into Piazzetta's world, it invites visitors to ponder the timeless allure of a child's unassuming grace.

About the Artist

Giovanni Cattini|Giovanni Battista Piazzetta (Italian|Italian) · 1715 |1682 –1800 |1754

Italian, Venice ca. 1715–ca. 1800 Venice|Italian, Venice 1682–1754 Venice