Artwork
Joseph Kneels with the Child before Mary on the Donkey
Joseph Kneels with the Child before Mary on the Donkey 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
The painting shows Joseph kneeling with the child before Mary on a donkey.
It's a quiet moment. The artist used simple lines to depict the scene.
This etching is interesting because it was published in 1753, and it gives us a glimpse into the artist's style during that time.
You can learn more about the technique used to create this image by looking up the technique: etching.
Overview
Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, an Italian artist active in the mid‑18th century, produced an etching titled *Joseph Kneels with the Child before Mary on the Donkey* in 1753. The work belongs to his printmaking output, which ran alongside a prolific career in painting. It presents a modest religious tableau rendered in the artist’s characteristic linear approach.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows Saint Joseph kneeling before the Virgin Mary, who holds the infant Jesus, while a donkey stands nearby. The gesture of reverence and the calm atmosphere suggest a moment of humble devotion, emphasizing Joseph’s role as protector and the intimate bond among the Holy Family.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, the image relies on clear, unadorned lines to define figures and space. Tiepolo’s handling of the needle and acid creates a delicate tonal range, allowing subtle modeling of faces and drapery without heavy shading. The overall effect is restrained, highlighting narrative clarity over ornamental detail.
History & Provenance
The print was first issued in 1753, situating it within the later phase of Tiepolo’s career when he explored graphic media more extensively. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has circulated among collections of 18th‑century prints, serving as a representative example of the artist’s printmaking practice during that period.
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.
The Rest on the Flight, with Adoring Angels
The Rest on the Flight with Joseph in Adoration
The Rest on the Flight, with Adoring Angels
The Flight, Joseph at Right and Mary and Angel at Left
The Holy Family Disembarking
The Flight with the Holy Family at the Right
The Flight, Holy Family Walking with Angel
The Flight into Egypt
Joseph and Mary Prepare to Leave
Flight into Egypt: The Holy Family, Disembarking
The Rest on the Flight, with Holy Family under a Tree
Joseph Kneels with the Child before Mary on the Donkey