Title Page to The Flight into Egypt

Art Historical Context

Step into the whimsical world of 18th-century Venetian Rococo with Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo's *Title Page to The Flight into Egypt* (1753). This enchanting etching captures the biblical story of the Holy Family's escape from King Herod, rendered as the opening page to Tiepolo's celebrated series of 24 prints. Domenico, son of the illustrious Giambattista Tiepolo, inherited his father's flair for dramatic light, fluid lines, and playful exuberance, infusing sacred narratives with a sense of movement and joy. Crafted as an etching on laid paper, this intimate work (just 12.1 × 18.9 cm) showcases the precision of intaglio printing: Domenico drew intricate designs into a copper plate, which acid etched to create rich, velvety lines when inked and pressed. Rococo's ornate elegance shines through in swirling clouds, dynamic figures, and lush landscapes, making complex theology accessible and visually delightful. Produced during Venice's printmaking boom, it reflects the era's demand for affordable art that brought grand frescoes into homes. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this title page not only launches a masterful narrative cycle but also highlights Tiepolo's role in bridging painting and print traditions, preserving Rococo splendor for generations of admirers.

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...