Favretto is considered as one of the most innovative Italian painters of the later 19th century, responsible for a revival and modernisation of the Venetian tradition, with its devotion to the city and its people and to the particular light of the Lagoon. Favretto’s died prematurely from Typhoid Fever at the age of 38, but he achieved remarkable success during his relatively short career. An exhibition celebrating his work, the first since 1899, was held in 2010 at the Museo Correr. Favretto trained initially at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia but continued at the Accademia di Brera in Milan. His participation in the Universal Exhibition of 1878 held in Paris was greatly inspiring to Favretto leading him to experiment with techniques and styles. He became ill whilst exhibiting at the Venice Salon of 1887 but his work had been enormously praised and all his paintings were sold.

The present drawing with its scratchy, confident penmanship may perhaps be a self portrait or an affectionate depiction of a young friend, who feels himself to have an air of gravitas with his pipe held thoughtfully between his lips.