Mino Maccari, The Duel, Drawing, 1935, Pencil Drawing

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Pencil on paper. A spirited and incisive drawing by Mino Maccari, executed in pencil, depicting two male figures engaged in … Read more Pencil on paper. A spirited and incisive drawing by Mino Maccari, executed in pencil, depicting two male figures engaged in animated conversation. Shown in profile and facing one another, the figures are rendered with deliberate exaggeration: elongated noses, pronounced chins, and compact bodies that verge on caricature. Their gestures—one figure with a partially raised hand, the other clasping his arms behind his back—reinforce the sense of exchange and latent tension between them. Maccari’s graphic language is here expressed through vigorous contour lines and dense, rhythmic hatching, which model the figures while activating the surrounding space. The schematic treatment of anatomy, combined with the sharp observation of posture and expression, exemplifies the artist’s ability to distil social types into immediately legible visual statements. The suggestion of identical objects balanced on the men’s heads introduces a note of absurdity, underscoring the satirical undertone of the scene. This drawing belongs to Maccari’s mature period and is closely related to his work as a satirist and illustrator, in which dialogue and confrontation often serve as vehicles for social and political commentary. It stands as a compelling example of his mastery of pencil drawing as a means of irony, narrative compression, and psychological insight. Signed Mino Maccari lower right. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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