Artwork
The Sacrifice of Iphigenia (recto) / Study of a Male Nude (verso)
The Sacrifice of Iphigenia (recto) / Study of a Male Nude (verso) is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It dates from 1726 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This drawing, created around 1726, features two distinct works on either side of a single sheet: a scene of human sacrifice and a study of a male figure. Executed in pen, ink, and chalk on laid paper, it showcases the artist's technical range and versatility.
Subject & Meaning
The recto depicts the sacrifice of Iphigenia, a figure from classical mythology, in a dynamic and crowded composition. The scene is characterized by expressive figures in various poses, conveying a sense of drama and tension.
Technique & Style
The drawing combines pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk, with some red chalk touches. The use of varied line weights and shading creates a sense of movement and depth, while the loose, sketchy quality of the work suggests a rapid and spontaneous execution.
Context
As a Venetian artist working in the early 18th century, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo was influenced by the Rococo style and was part of a circle that included artists such as Canaletto and Piazzetta. His work reflects the dynamic and expressive qualities of the Venetian school.
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.
