Actaeon, Changed into a Stag, Attacked by One of His Own Hounds

Art Historical Context

In the late 18th century, Domenico Tiepolo, of the renowned Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo crafted this dynamic drawing titled *Actaeon, Changed a Stag, Att by One of His Ownounds*. Depicting a dramatic moment from Ovid's *amorphoses*, it shows the hunter Actaeon—punished by the goddess Diana for glimpsing her bathing—transformed a stag and savagely pursued by his own hounds. Tiepolo's Rococo sensibility infuses the scene with theatrical energy, capturing the mythological tragedy with vivid motion and pathos. Executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash on a modest scale (5 9/16 x 10 1/4 in.), this work exemplifies the artist's mastery of mixed media. The fluid ink lines define twisting forms and ferocious dogs, while the brown wash adds depth, shadow, and a sense of frantic chaos, evoking the emotional intensity of Venetian disegno. Such drawings were prized in the 18th century as both studies for larger frescoes and standalone treasures, reflecting Tiepolo's innovative blend of Baroque drama and lighter Rococo elegance. Housed in the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1975, this piece highlights the enduring appeal of classical myths in European art. It invites visitors to ponder themes of hubris and divine retribution, brought to life through Tiepolo's exquisite draftsmanship.

About the Artist

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo · 1727–1804

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1727-1804) was a Venetian painter, printmaker, and draftsman whose career spanned the twilight of the Rococo era. Born on August 30, 1727, in Venice as the eldest son of the celebrated Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, he worked both in his father's shadow and as a significant independent artist who developed a distinctly earthbound and humanistic vision. Domenico's importance...