Artwork
La famiglia di Dario dinanzi ad Alessandro
La famiglia di Dario dinanzi ad Alessandro is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It dates from 1743 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s oil on canvas, completed in 1743, depicts a lively assembly beneath a large tent. The scene is populated by figures in vivid attire, some bearing flags and spears, set against a backdrop that includes a bridge, a bright sky and scattered clouds. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a gathering, likely a ceremonial or military encampment, where members of a family or retinue are positioned around the central tent. The inclusion of banners and weaponry suggests a public display of allegiance or celebration, while the varied costumes convey a sense of social hierarchy within the group.
Technique & Style
Tiepolo employs a broad palette to model space, rendering the foreground figures with fine detail and allowing the distant elements to recede in softer tones. Strong contrasts of light and shadow create a chiaroscuro effect that heightens the drama and gives the scene a three‑dimensional presence. The brushwork balances precise rendering with atmospheric washes.
History & Provenance
Painted in the mid‑18th century, the canvas entered the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on European Baroque art and contributes to the representation of Tiepolo’s prolific output during his Viennese period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, also known as Giambattista Tiepolo, was an Italian painter and printmaker from the Republic of Venice who painted in the Rococo style, considered an important member of the 18th-century Venetian school.
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