Limited Edition · A rare and poetic find — full of mystery, theatre, and the soul of Italy.
An expressive and melancholic portrait of a man in theatrical dress — the high white cap and black mask unmistakably evoke Pulcinella, the ambiguous trickster of Italy’s commedia dell’arte. His gaze is sharp, almost weary, as if he has worn the mask for a lifetime
This work is likely a drypoint or etching, printed on thick paper with the clear plate impression still visible. It is hand-numbered 65/99, indicating a limited, artisanal edition. On the reverse, the handwritten name Raffaele Carrieri appears — a detail that invites curiosity and deeper interpretation.
Why this piece is so captivating:
🖋 The image carries emotional depth, technical precision, and symbolic weight.
📚 Raffaele Carrieri (1905–1984) was a renowned Italian poet, art critic, and cultural figure, known for his close ties to artists like De Chirico and Lucio Fontana. He often collaborated on illustrated art books and curated graphic portfolios that blended word and image.
Could this piece be part of such a collaboration?
Could it be a portrait of Carrieri himself, imagined as Pulcinella — the observer, the survivor, the man behind the mask?
Or is it simply a rare print from an obscure Italian artist working within Carrieri’s circle?
We may never know for certain, and that’s part of its charm.
📌 Details:
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Technique: Probably drypoint or etching
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Dimensions (framed): 37 x 26.5 cm
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Numbering: Hand-numbered 65/99
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Back: Handwritten name “Raffaele Carrieri”
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Origin: Italy, ca. 1950s–1970s
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Condition: Very good vintage condition, aged paper, original frame
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Provenance: Discovered at an early morning market in Italy, tucked away under dust in a dealer’s collection — a hidden gem waiting to be seen.
🧭 A perfect piece for:
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Collectors of Italian modernism
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Lovers of commedia dell’arte or mask symbolism
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Those drawn to art with mystery, history, and quiet theatricality
ound at dawn under a layer of dust on an Italian flea market — a mysterious Pulcinella portrait, hand-numbered 65/99, possibly linked to the legendary Raffaele Carrieri.
A masked soul from another time. Now framed, and available.
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