36/45

About this artwork

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Art Historical Context

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo's *36/45*, an from 1775 measuring 453 mm high by 290 mm wide, invites visitors into the whimsical world of 18th-century Venetian artistry. As the son and gifted pupil of the renowned Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, mastered the Rococo style, blending exuberant fantasy with delicate linework. This piece forms part of a larger series—likely one of his celebrated etching suites—showcasing his prowess in capturing playful, theatrical scenes that echoed the commedia dell'arte spirit of Venice. Etching, Tiepolo's favored medium here, involves biting acid into a metal plate to create intricate, fluid lines, allowing for rich tonal variations and expressive detail far beyond drawing alone. Produced during Venice's late Baroque era, when printmaking democratized art for collectors across Europe, this technique highlighted Domenico's innovative touch, often infused with humor and satire. At over 45 cm tall, its generous scale amplifies the dramatic compositions typical of the Tiepolo dynasty. Though specifics of plate 36 remain elusive, it exemplifies Domenico's legacy in bridging his father's grandeur with a lighter, more intimate Rococo flair. A gem for print enthusiasts, it reminds us how etchings preserved Venice's cultural vibrancy amid shifting artistic tides toward Neoclassicism.

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...