Artwork
Joseph and Mary Prepare to Leave
Joseph and Mary Prepare to Leave is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo. It dates from 1753 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Joseph and Mary Prepare to Leave is an etching created by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo in 1753. As a member of a Venetian artistic family, Tiepolo worked in both painting and printmaking, with this piece exemplifying his skill in the latter medium.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a preparatory moment from the biblical narrative, showing Joseph, Mary, and their infant, accompanied by a donkey, in a wooded cave on the eve of their departure. The scene conveys a sense of quiet, intimate activity amidst a rustic, shaded environment.
Technique & Style
Tiepolo employed sharp, precise lines to achieve detailed textures, characteristic of 18th-century etching techniques. This method allowed for the intricate rendering of leaves, clothing folds, and the overall cramped, shadowy atmosphere of the dimly lit cave.
History & Provenance
Created in 1753, the etching is a product of Tiepolo's activity as a printmaker, distinct from but complementary to his painterly work. As the son and pupil of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Giovanni Domenico's work reflects his lineage within Venetian art.
Context
The piece is situated within the broader context of 18th-century Venetian art and the tradition of biblical illustration through printmaking. Tiepolo's use of etching aligns with the period's preference for detailed, black-and-white prints.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of *Joseph and Mary Prepare to Leave* are not highlighted, the work contributes to the broader appreciation of Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo's contributions to printmaking and the continuation of the Tiepolo family's artistic influence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (August 30, 1727 – March 3, 1804) was an Italian painter and printmaker in etching. He was the son of artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and elder brother of Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo.
Joseph Kneels with the Child before Mary on the Donkey
Joseph Kneels with the Child before Mary on the Donkey
Flight into Egypt: The Holy Family Passing under an Arch
The Rest on the Flight, with Adoring Angels
The Adoration of the Shepherds: with the Lamp
The Holy Family Arriving at a City Gate
The Rest on the Flight with Joseph in Adoration
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds